Iran says Strait of Hormuz is fully open during ceasefire

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Iran says Strait of Hormuz is fully open during ceasefire

April 17, 2026

Vessel ship Strait of Hormuz sea Oman Apr 12, 2026 — A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, April 12, 2026. Photo: Reuters

DUBAI,— U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping, as a 10 day ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to be holding.

The pause in fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group has reduced tensions and could remove a key barrier to a broader agreement involving Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of war.

It remains uncertain whether Hezbollah will accept any agreement reached without its participation. Questions also remain over Israeli forces staying in parts of southern Lebanon.

Trump wrote on social media that Iran confirmed the strait “is fully open and ready for full passage.”

Shortly before that, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that the route for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz “is declared completely open” in line with the Lebanon ceasefire.

He added that the passage would remain open for the duration of the truce.

There was no immediate clarification on how this affects the U.S. blockade of the waterway. Trump said the blockade would “remain in full force” until Iran reaches an agreement with Washington to end the conflict.

In Beirut, gunfire was heard across the city just after midnight as residents fired into the air to mark the start of the truce.

Families displaced by the fighting began heading back toward southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, despite official warnings to wait until the situation becomes clearer.

A spokesperson for United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon said Friday there had been no airstrikes since midnight.

However, the spokesperson accused the Israeli military of airspace violations and artillery fire in southern Lebanon. There was no immediate response from the Israeli military.

The U.S. State Department said under the ceasefire terms, Israel can act in self defense against imminent threats but cannot carry out offensive operations in southern Lebanon.

Trump described the agreement as a “historic day for Lebanon” and said in a speech in Las Vegas that the wider conflict involving Iran could end soon.

“The war in Iran is going along swimmingly,” Trump said. “It should be ending pretty soon.”

Ending Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah has been a central demand from Iranian negotiators.

Iran has accused Israel of violating earlier ceasefire terms with strikes in Lebanon, while Israel has said those terms did not apply to Lebanon.

As part of diplomatic efforts, Pakistan’s army chief met Iran’s parliament speaker on Thursday to discuss extending the ceasefire.

Oil prices declined on expectations of progress toward a deal. However, the head of the International Energy Agency warned that risks remain if the Strait of Hormuz does not stay open.

Iran shut the strait soon after the conflict began. About one fifth of global oil supply normally passes through the route.

The agency’s executive director Fatih Birol told The Associated Press on Thursday that Europe has about six weeks of jet fuel reserves left and warned that economic effects will increase the longer the route is disrupted.

Despite tensions caused by the U.S. blockade and renewed statements from Iran, officials in the region said there has been progress.

They told The Associated Press that the United States and Iran have reached an “in principle agreement” to extend the ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations. The officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks.

Mediators are working to resolve three main issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, the status of the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for damage caused during the war, according to a regional official involved in the discussions.

Trump said he is open to extending the ceasefire if talks move closer to a deal.

“If we’re close to a deal, would I extend?” Trump said. “Yeah, I would do that.”

(With files from AP)