Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial shipping Friday following the start of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but President Donald Trump immediately clarified that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a comprehensive deal is reached.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the reopening in a social media post, stating the strategic waterway would remain accessible to all commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire. The strait, which handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments, had been effectively closed since late February when the US-Israeli war against Iran began.
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.
Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister — X
Trump initially celebrated the announcement on his Truth Social platform but quickly added conditions. While welcoming Iran's decision, he emphasized that the US blockade imposed earlier this week would continue targeting Iranian vessels and ports specifically.
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. This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated.
Donald Trump, US President — Truth Social
Oil prices dropped sharply following Iran's announcement, providing relief to global markets that have been volatile since the strait's closure. The waterway's reopening removes one major obstacle to broader peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran, though significant hurdles remain.
The development coincided with the implementation of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran had previously linked the strait's closure to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, where Tehran's ally Hezbollah operates. The 10-day truce can be extended by mutual agreement.
Iranian military officials clarified that while commercial vessels could transit the strait through designated routes with Revolutionary Guards Navy permission, military vessels remained prohibited. This partial restriction reflects ongoing tensions despite the diplomatic opening.
Trump's decision to maintain the blockade appears designed to sustain pressure on Iran as negotiations continue. The president has repeatedly suggested that talks could resume as early as this weekend in Islamabad, though logistics make such timing increasingly unlikely.
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll across the region, with at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed since fighting began.
European leaders welcomed the strait's reopening but called for permanent access. The International Monetary Fund had warned this week that prolonged conflict risked pushing the global economy into recession, while energy officials cautioned about worsening supply shocks if the waterway remained closed.