The Strait of Hormuz has reopened, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (17 April), although Washington warned its naval blockade on Iran would remain until a peace deal is reached.
“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Araghchi said in a post on social media website X.
Shortly afterwards, Trump also confirmed the reopening of the sea passage, which is essential for global trade, while clarifying that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in force.
“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” Trump wrote on social media website Truth Social in capital letters.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, has been effectively closed since the start of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran at the end of February.
The conflict rapidly spread across the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, resulting in thousands of deaths, raising fears of the worst oil shock in history, and prompting widespread flight cancellations and the closure of international airports across the region.
A two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan was agreed by the U.S. and Iran on 8 April, but the strait had, for all intents and purposes, remained closed despite the pause in fighting.
On Thursday (16 April), Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
Despite talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, last weekend, Iran and the U.S. have yet to reach a peace agreement. However, Trump said on Thursday that new talks could take place as early as this weekend.
Iranian sources said on Friday that some “gaps remained to be resolved” before a preliminary deal with the U.S. could be reached.
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Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran continue as a fragile ceasefire risks collapsing after the U.S. seized a boat bound for Iran at the weekend and Tehran closes the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile Tehran has refused to attend a new round of peace talks in Pakistan.
Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Sunday night to show support for the government, with many voicing strong distrust of the United States. Many said they were bracing for more hardship, but remained defiant.
Concerns grew on Monday (20 April) that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, due to expire on Tuesday, might not hold after Washington’s Navy seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade of Iranian ports, with Tehran vowing to retaliate.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heightened fears of renewed conflict and disruption to global oil supplies.
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