Iran proved it can close the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. is advertising very loudly that the world’s top superpower can at least punch open a hole

Regardless of a ceasefire deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s demonstrated ability to shut it down will continue to hang over the global economy, rendering the narrow waterway a contested space. But while the U.S.

has failed to restore freedom of navigation in the strait, a steady drumbeat of messaging recently suggests an effort to dilute Tehran’s new leverage. Starting late last month, U.S.

officials began revealing that more ships had been quietly crossing the strait with U.S. assistance through a route along the Omani coast.

Subsequent reports pointed to a more robust U.S. role as “naval overwatch” offered protection from Iranian attacks.

The traffic uptick still represented just a fraction of pre-war levels, but it gave oil markets more breathing room before inventories reach critical levels while providing the U.S. additional leeway in negotiations with Iran.

On Tuesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted in congressional testimony that traffic in the strait was rising “very meaningfully” in a military operation that wasn’t being disclosed openly. Then on Wednesday, President Donald Trump described a “secret mission” that he claimed had put more than 100 million barrels of oil on the market, or about five day’s worth of shipments before the war started. “I can say it now.

Something you didn’t know,” he said. “Do you know we’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil? Nobody knows it.

You know who doesn’t know about it? Iran — until right now.” On Thursday, U.

S. Central Command posted a message saying the Strait of Hormuz is open for transit, touting routes for safe passage, the hundreds of ships that have already crossed, and forces in place to defend against attacks. “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” it added.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum added to the chorus on Friday, when he said more than 20 ships exit the Persian Gulf on some nights under the cover of darkness with help from U.S. forces.

And for good measure, Defense Secret