Iran’s foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened for commercial vessels, advising ships to use designated safe lanes. This declaration comes after the vital oil shipping channel had been effectively blocked since February 28, following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. A ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on April 22.
US President Donald Trump stated that a naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal was reached between the two nations, yet he described the day as “a great and brilliant day for the world.” Despite Iran’s announcement, maritime groups are still working to verify the safety of transit through the strait, with tracking data indicating minimal ship movement.
The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was made on Friday, coinciding with the first full day of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Araghchi posted on X, “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.”
Later, Iranian state TV quoted a “senior military official” confirming that commercial vessels would use a “designated route,” while emphasizing that the passage of military vessels through the Strait would remain “prohibited.” This likely refers to specific routes previously outlined by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
However, not all Iranian outlets welcomed the announcement. Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, criticized Araghchi’s post as “bad and incomplete,” suggesting that such passage would be considered “void” if the US naval blockade persists. Other media outlets called for further clarification from Iranian authorities.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation in recent talks with the US in Islamabad, also weighed in on X, claiming that Donald Trump “made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false.” Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Ghalibaf asserted that with the “continuation of the [US] blockade,” the Strait “will not remain open.”
In related developments, Iran, an ally of Hezbollah, has been embroiled in regional tensions. Israel launched strikes on Lebanon on March 2 in response to actions by Hezbollah, which itself was retaliating against US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Meanwhile, Trump indicated that talks with Iran to end the conflict would continue over the weekend, expressing optimism about the limited differences between the two sides.
The Iranian foreign ministry also denied Trump’s earlier claim that the regime had agreed to transfer its stockpile of enriched uranium to the US, stating unequivocally that it would not be transferred “anywhere under any circumstances.” Trump had told CBS News that no ground troops would be needed for the uranium’s removal, suggesting the US and Iran would “work together to go get it” and “then we’ll take it to the United States.”
The Strait of Hormuz typically facilitates the passage of approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the number of ships transiting has drastically decreased amid recent hostilities, with Iran having previously threatened attacks on tankers and other vessels, as well as warning of laid mines. This situation has sent shockwaves through the global economy, leading to soaring fuel prices. While oil prices saw a decline on Friday following Araghchi’s announcement, questions persist regarding the validity and potential temporary nature of the reopening.
Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), stressed the need for “further clarification for the shipping industry that there will be no risks for the ships to navigate and it will be in accordance with international law.” He noted that while the IMO has information about some ships starting to sail, verification is difficult as “some ships turn off their identification systems in order not to be targeted.”
Cormac McGarry, director for maritime security at Control Risks, expressed continued pessimism, stating he was “no more optimistic than he was yesterday” about the strait’s reopening. He told BBC’s 5 Live Drive that the announcement “basically changes nothing” due to the lingering implicit threat of mines, adding that “the scenarios are looking pretty bleak for shipping over the next few weeks.”
In response to the ongoing situation, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Friday that the UK and France would lead a multinational mission to safeguard commercial shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking after a meeting of 49 countries, Starmer clarified that the initiative would be “strictly peaceful and defensive” and would only be implemented once fighting in the region concludes.
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