Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump have both announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now open for commercial shipping.
Araghchi stated on Friday that this vital waterway was “completely open,” aligning with the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that commenced the day before.
President Trump confirmed the strait’s reopening via social media, subsequently asserting that Iran had committed to “never close the Strait of Hormuz again.” Nevertheless, he also indicated that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports would “remain in full force.”
Concurrently, France and the United Kingdom co-hosted a meeting in Paris with approximately 40 participating nations. These countries agreed to contribute to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran concludes.
The previous restrictions on tanker traffic through the strait, a route for about 20 percent of the world’s daily crude oil supply, had caused a global spike in fuel prices.
World leaders have greeted this development with cautious optimism, given the mixed messages emanating from both the U.S. and Iran.
United States
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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.”
Shortly thereafter, he posted again, stating that the U.S. Navy’s blockade on Iranian vessels and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with the U.S., encompassing its nuclear program.
Later, speaking to AFP, Trump indicated that a deal to end the conflict with Iran was “close,” asserting that “no sticking points” remained between Washington and Tehran.
Iran
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on X that the strait was “declared completely open” and would stay open for the duration of the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, which began overnight Thursday into Friday.
However, some Iranian state media reports later seemed to contradict Araghchi’s statement. A senior military official reportedly told state media that only non-military vessels would be permitted to transit, and only with authorization from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.
Fars news agency, known for its ties to the IRGC, highlighted a “strange silence from the Supreme National Security Council,” the country’s de facto highest decision-making body, amidst uncertainty regarding the status of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-hosted a summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, discussing a potential military mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 30 to 40 countries participated, either in person or via video conference.
On the sidelines, Starmer cautiously welcomed the news of the strait’s reopening but emphasized that it must evolve into “both a lasting and a workable proposal.”
He added that the UK and France would lead a “strictly peaceful and defensive” multinational mission to safeguard freedom of navigation as soon as conditions permit.
France
Following the gathering, Macron stated, “We all demand the full, immediate, and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”
He further added, “We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to privatize the strait – and, of course, any toll system.”
Macron’s office outlined potential roles for members of the international coalition working to reopen the strait, including “intelligence, mine-clearing capabilities, military escorts, and communication procedures with coastal states.”
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that Germany could contribute mine clearance and intelligence capabilities to the international mission, contingent on parliamentary support and a “secure legal basis,” such as a UN Security Council resolution.
He expressed a desire for U.S. involvement in the international mission to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “We believe this would be desirable.”
Trump, however, later appeared to rebuff these overtures, announcing on social media that he had received a call from NATO but had unequivocally declined its assistance.
Finland
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a participant in the Paris summit, posted on X, “We welcome Iran’s announcement on opening the Strait. Lasting solutions require diplomacy.”
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Iran’s announcement regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, calling it “a step in the right direction.”
International Maritime Organisation
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the UN shipping agency, stated, “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage.”
Shipping Companies
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association indicated that several issues require clarification before ships can transit the strait, including the potential presence of mines, Iranian conditions, and practical implementation details.
Knut Arild Hareide, CEO of the association (representing 130 companies with approximately 1,500 vessels), remarked, “If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development.”
A spokesperson for Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd Shipping Company stated, “We are now beginning to assess the new situation and the risks involved… For the time being, therefore, we are still refraining from passing through the strait.”
In a statement, Denmark’s Maersk noted: “We have noted the announcement. The safety of our crew, vessels, and customers’ cargo remains our priority. Since the outbreak of the conflict, we have followed the guidance of our security partners in the region, and the recommendation so far has been to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
“Any decision to transit the strait will be based on risk assessments and close monitoring of the security situation, with the latest developments also included in the ongoing assessments.”
Markets
Oil prices saw a significant drop following Iran’s announcement that commercial vessel passage would remain “completely open” for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon.
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, commented, “This news is having an immediate impact on markets. This is the biggest development so far during the ceasefire, and it gives hope that the war will end soon, and supply chains will return to some normality.”
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