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Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open for commercial shipping
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened for commercial vessels, though ships must adhere to designated safe routes. The move follows a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, set to last until April 22.
Ceasefire and conflicting statements
The announcement coincides with the first full day of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, brokered after weeks of escalating hostilities. However, Iranian officials have issued mixed signals. A senior military source told state TV that while commercial vessels may pass, military ships remain barred from the strait.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf contradicted Araghchi's statement, asserting that the strait would not stay open if the U.S. naval blockade persisted. Iranian media outlets, including IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, criticized the foreign minister's post as "incomplete," demanding further clarification.
U.S. stance and ongoing tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that a naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace agreement is reached, calling the current situation "a great and brilliant day for the world." However, Trump also indicated that negotiations with Iran would proceed over the weekend, suggesting progress despite "not too many" significant differences.
Trump later claimed Iran had agreed to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile to the U.S., a assertion Tehran swiftly denied. Iran's foreign ministry insisted the stockpile would remain untouched "under any circumstances." Trump told CBS News that no ground troops would be required to secure the uranium, proposing a joint U.S.-Iran operation to transport it.
Global economic impact and maritime concerns
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), has seen sharply reduced traffic amid recent hostilities. Iran's threats to attack tankers and reports of mines in the waterway have disrupted shipping, sending fuel prices surging. While oil prices dipped following Araghchi's announcement, industry experts remain skeptical.
"I need further clarification that there will be no risks for ships navigating in accordance with international law," said Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Arsenio Dominguez, IMO
The IMO noted that some vessels have resumed sailing but cautioned that many turn off their identification systems to avoid targeting. Maritime security analyst Cormac McGarry dismissed Araghchi's statement as having "basically changed nothing," warning that the threat of mines persists and the outlook for shipping remains "bleak."
International response and future steps
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and France would lead a multinational mission to safeguard commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, described as "strictly peaceful and defensive," will only proceed once active fighting in the region ceases. Starmer made the remarks after a meeting with representatives from 49 countries.
As the ceasefire's April 22 expiration approaches, the stability of the strait's reopening remains uncertain, with global markets and maritime industries closely monitoring developments.
