Iran Opens Strait Of Hormuz To Commercial Shipping During Ceasefire, Says Araghchi
April 17, 2026
<p data-start="83" data-end="299">Iran has announced that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open during the ongoing ceasefire period, according to a statement by Foreign Minister <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Seyed Abbas Araghchi</span></span>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">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.</p> — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/2045121573124759713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <p data-start="83" data-end="299"> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p data-start="350" data-end="673">In a post on social media, Araghchi said, “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.”</p> <h2 data-section-id="192nadi" data-start="680" data-end="723"><span role="text"><strong data-start="684" data-end="723">Move Linked To Ceasefire In Lebanon</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="725" data-end="879">The announcement comes in the context of the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon, with Iran signalling continuity in maritime operations during the truce period.</p> <p data-start="881" data-end="1031">The statement emphasised that vessel movement would follow the coordinated route previously outlined by the country’s Ports and Maritime Organisation.</p>
Iran announced on Friday it has opened the critical Strait of Hormuz to all commercial shipping, a move that provides a significant sign of de-escalation in a weeks-long conflict that has shaken the global economy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that passage through the strategic waterway is "completely open" for the duration of a current ceasefire. The decision is explicitly linked to a separate, 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon that began holding on Thursday. The reopening sent oil prices tumbling as markets reacted to the potential return of a major artery for global energy supplies.
The announcement provides a glimmer of hope amid a fragile diplomatic landscape. The opening of the strait follows a tense period since a broader two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, was initiated on April 8. That agreement was meant to pause a conflict that began in late February and involved direct strikes between the nations. However, passage through the strait, which handles about a fifth of the world's oil, had remained severely restricted by Iran. Araghchi specified that transiting vessels must now follow a "coordinated route" designated by Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation, indicating Tehran's intention to manage the flow of traffic.
The United States has offered a mixed response to Tehran's announcement. President Donald Trump publicly welcomed the news, posting on social media that the strait was "fully open and ready for full passage." However, he quickly clarified that a U.S. naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and vessels would "remain in full force" until a comprehensive agreement with Iran is finalized. This stance has created immediate friction, with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning that the strait would not remain open if the U.S. blockade continues, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The international community has reacted with cautious optimism. Leaders from the United Kingdom and France welcomed the development but emphasized the need for a permanent and unconditional reopening of the waterway. Shipping industry associations and the UN's International Maritime Organization are currently reviewing the practicalities and security of the new arrangement to ensure it complies with international freedom of navigation principles. The move comes ahead of a potential new round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, possibly this weekend in Pakistan, following inconclusive talks last week.
The backdrop to these events is a volatile six weeks that saw military escalations, disruption to global trade, and sharp spikes in energy prices. The current ceasefire is set to expire early next week, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts. While the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial step in lowering regional tensions, the conflicting stances of Washington and Tehran on the naval blockade, coupled with the unresolved core issues of Iran's nuclear program, mean the path to a lasting resolution remains uncertain and fraught with challenges.
Source: abplive