Iran declares Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial ships during Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial maritime traffic for the duration of the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

The announcement was made on Friday by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who stated in a social media post that the decision was taken in line with the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. He explained that all commercial vessels are now permitted to transit through the strategic waterway, which is one of the world’s most critical  shipping routes.

However, he noted that vessels must adhere to a “coordinated route” designated by Iran’s maritime authorities to ensure safe and orderly passage during the ceasefire period. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, making its accessibility crucial for international markets.

In response, Donald Trump expressed appreciation to Iran for reopening the strait in a social media post. Despite this development, he emphasised that the United States would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports until a broader agreement is reached with Tehran.

The reopening of the strait had an immediate impact on global energy markets, with oil prices plunging by more than 11% following the announcement, reflecting improved supply expectations and reduced geopolitical risk in the region.

The development comes after Israel and Lebanon agreed on Thursday to a 10-day ceasefire, which took effect at 5 p.m. ET. The ceasefire is aimed at halting hostilities linked to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, a group widely regarded as a close ally of Iran.

The conflict involving Hezbollah has been a major sticking point in broader negotiations between the United States and Iran, with tensions escalating over the scope and continuation of military actions in the region.

Earlier, President Trump had agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7 in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of breaching the agreement by allowing Israel to continue its military campaign in Lebanon despite the ceasefire arrangement.

As a result of these disagreements, the strait had remained largely closed during the U.S.-Iran ceasefire period, with only a limited number of commercial vessels able to pass through the waterway each day. This partial closure contributed to volatility in global oil markets and heightened concerns about supply disruptions.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader conflict have so far yielded limited progress. Recent negotiations between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Mr Ghalibaf, held last weekend in Pakistan, failed to produce a lasting agreement to end hostilities between the United States and Iran.

However, there are indications that dialogue may continue. President Trump has suggested that U.S. and Iranian negotiators could reconvene in Pakistan for a second round of talks over the weekend, raising cautious hopes for further diplomatic engagement.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, is seen as a significant step toward easing tensions and stabilising global energy markets, though uncertainties remain regarding the durability of the ceasefire and the outcome of ongoing negotiations.