Trump claims breakthrough in Hormuz Strait standoff with Iran

The United States claims to have achieved a significant breakthrough in the months-long confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy transport. U.S. officials suggest the balance of power has shifted, potentially paving the way for more favorable negotiations with Iran.

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That damned strait is open. Iran's response has been very minimal. They don't want us to attack them again. That's the whole point. Everything else doesn't matter.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating, "That damned strait is open. Iran's response has been very minimal. They don't want us to attack them again. That's the whole point. Everything else doesn't matter." He added that Iran is "begging for a deal," but the U.S. is not currently inclined to negotiate.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Brad Cooper announced that "internationally recognized shipping lanes in the strait have been cleared of Iranian naval mines," characterizing the development as a "significant breakthrough." According to Axios sources, traffic through the southern channel of the strait has increased substantially in recent weeks, with 20-30 tankers passing nightly.

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I don't want to negotiate with them, they want to. In fact, they are begging for a deal.

These tankers are estimated to be transporting 9-10 million barrels of oil daily, approximately half the volume shipped before the recent tensions escalated. The U.S. assertion of regaining control over the vital waterway comes after a period of heightened military activity and diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran.

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internationally recognized shipping lanes in the strait have been cleared of Iranian naval mines