Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz as Trump says US blockade will continue until deal is made

“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”, Araghchi wrote on X. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also confirmed on social media that the Strait of Hormuz is “fully open”. “Iran has just announced that the strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you!”, Trump wrote. However, in a separate post, Trump clarified that despite the strait being open, the naval blockade by the US will continue in full force till the “transaction” with Iran is complete.

The Republican leader also claimed that Iran has agreed to “never” close the Strait of Hormuz again and that it will never be used against the world as a “weapon”.

Crude prices have tumbled 10 per cent after the announcement of the opening of the Hormuz Strait, according to the Associated Press.

Trump on Thursday (16 Apr) announced a 10-day ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel and said that he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

The ceasefire deal between the two warring countries came only as a part of the US’ efforts to reach a deal to end the war with Iran. Tehran had insisted that a Lebanon truce must be part of any agreement.

The US leader said the deal to halt hostilities came after “excellent” phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. “These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve peace between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 day ceasefire at 5 P.M. EST,” or 2100 GMT, Trump said on his Truth Social network.

He later said he expected Netanyahu and Aoun to visit the White House “over the next four or five days”.

The leaders of France and the UK have welcomed the announced reopening of the Strait of Hormuz but say it must become permanent. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they will keep planning an international mission to restore maritime security, with a meeting of military planners in London next week. Speaking after a gathering of some 50 countries, Macron said “we all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”

Starmer said the announcement by Iran and the US that the waterway is open must become “both lasting and a workable proposal.” He said France and the UK will lead a multinational mission to safeguard shipping “as soon as conditions allow.”