The US has made progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but the Iran war is far from over, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/11/us-reopening-strait-of-hormuz/)

The report details that while the United States has achieved notable tactical success in loosening Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, the broader conflict remains entrenched in a costly stalemate without a clear resolution in sight.Key Developments and Maritime Progress

• Restoring Oil Shipments: U.S. naval operations and escorts have enabled non-Iranian oil transit through the strait to rebound significantlyreaching roughly 8.4 million barrels per day in September (and up to 10.8 million barrels daily when factoring in alternative bypass routes), up from a low of 300,000 barrels daily at the conflict’s peak.
• Economic Squeeze on Tehran: A tight U.S. maritime blockade and sanctions have crippled Iran’s own petroleum exports, slashing them from 1.85 million barrels per day in the spring to approximately 255,000 barrels per day by August, accelerating domestic economic distress and inflation inside Iran.

Strategic Stalemate and Growing Costs

• Lack of an Exit Strategy: Despite the economic pressure on Iran, foreign policy and defense analysts note that Washington lacks a clear political end-state. An initial framework brokered in June quickly collapsed, and diplomatic negotiations have made little headway since.
• Domestic and Military Toll: Sustaining the large-scale naval and air presence in the Persian Gulf has severely strained U.S. defense resources and munitions stockpiles. The campaign has cost over $37.5 billion, claimed the lives of 18 U.S. service members, and continues to create political friction.
• Risk of Further Escalation: Regional experts caution that economic exhaustion has not pushed Iran’s leadership toward concessions on its regional posture or nuclear program. Instead, analysts warn that as Tehran finds itself increasingly cornered, it is more likely to pursue asymmetric retaliationsuch as proxy strikes or targeting regional energy infrastructurerather than capitulation.