Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open for commercial vessels

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday announced that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” for commercial vessels following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a key demand from Tehran.

“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,” Araghchi said in a post on X, adding that ships must use a “coordinated route,” previously designated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to avoid naval mines.

The announcement follows a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted nearly 40 days of war, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran. In retaliation, Tehran carried out thousands of drone and missile attacks against Israel and US interests in the region and effectively shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz by deploying sea mines and intensifying maritime monitoring, reducing movement to near zero.

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies pass through the chokepoint. Its disruption pushed global oil prices up by 40 to 50 percent and strained international supply chains.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah, in support of Iran, launched retaliatory strikes against Israel in early March. Ending Israel’s attacks on Lebanon was a major sticking point in the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire “in order to achieve peace,” noting the truce would begin at midnight.

Shortly after Araghchi’s statement, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz is “fully open and ready for passage,” but added in a follow-up post that “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.”

On Wednesday, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command said it will “not allow any exports or imports to continue” through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea if the US proceeds with the naval blockade on Iranian shipping announced earlier this week.

Despite this, the Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that the blockade applies to all vessels, regardless of nationality, traveling to or from Iranian ports.