Strait of Hormuz fully open, say Trump and Iranian foreign minister
April 17, 2026
It was not immediately clear what that meant for the U.S. blockade of the strait.
In a significant de-escalation of recent hostilities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial shipping. The statement was followed by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who hailed the development as a momentous event for the global economy. This apparent breakthrough comes in the context of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Middle East, offering a glimmer of hope for stability in a region that has been on edge. However, the declarations from Washington and Tehran were not entirely symmetrical, with Iran linking the opening to the duration of the current truce and President Trump insisting a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in force.
The reopening addresses a period of intense economic and geopolitical anxiety that began when Iran closed the critical waterway. The strait, a chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes, was shut by Iran following the outbreak of a wider conflict involving the U.S. and Israel. The closure sent oil prices soaring past $100 a barrel, fueling inflation and sparking fears of a deep economic crisis and recessions around the world. In response to Iran’s actions, the United States had initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports just days before the latest announcements.
According to Foreign Minister Araghchi's statement, commercial vessels would be permitted passage for the remainder of a 10-day ceasefire, but only along a coordinated route determined by Iran's maritime authorities. President Trump, in a series of social media posts, framed the development in more triumphant terms, stating that Iran had agreed to never close the strategic waterway again. Despite celebrating the reopening, he clarified that the U.S. blockade on Iran itself would continue until a comprehensive deal was finalized, a move intended to maintain pressure on Tehran during upcoming negotiations.
The immediate impact of the news was a sharp plunge in global oil prices, providing relief to markets that had been bracing for a prolonged disruption. International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cautiously welcomed the development, emphasizing the need for a permanent and unconditional guarantee of free navigation. Shipping industry associations and the International Maritime Organization stated they were reviewing the situation to verify the terms and ensure the safe and secure passage of all merchant vessels.
Looking ahead, the situation remains fluid and fraught with uncertainty. President Trump has indicated that direct talks between U.S. and Iranian officials could take place as soon as this weekend to finalize a broader agreement. Key points of contention remain, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, the lifting of sanctions, and compensation for war damages. The reopening of the strait is conditional and temporary, contingent on the adherence to a fragile ceasefire and the outcome of high-stakes diplomacy that will determine whether the vital waterway remains open or once again becomes a flashpoint of conflict.
Source: thestar