Get you up to speed: Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open for commercial vessels during ceasefire
The Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” for the duration of the ceasefire, as announced by Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Aragchi. All commercial vessels will be allowed to pass through the strait for the remainder of the truce, according to the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Seyed Abbas Aragchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” for commercial vessels during the ceasefire, as per the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer stated it is crucial to build a coalition around the principle that the ceasefire should be permanent and the strait should remain open.
Seyed Abbas Aragchi announced that “all commercial vessels” will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the remaining period of the ceasefire following the ceasefire in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to work towards a permanent ceasefire and opened discussions with Emmanuel Macron and 40 countries in Paris to formulate plans for a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation.
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ for rest of ceasefire | News World
The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans (Picture: Shutterstock / lavizzara)
The Strait of Hormuz is ‘completely open’ for the duration of the ceasefire, Iran’s foreign minister has announced.
Seyed Abbas Aragchi said ‘all commercial vessels’ will be allowed to pass through the strait for the remainder of the truce.
His full post on X says: ‘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.’
US President Donald Trump reacted to the news with a Truth Social post saying: ‘The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage.’
The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans.
The vital oil and gas shipping route has been effectively closed since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began at the end of February, forcing up energy and fuel prices around the world.
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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.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026
The news led to sharp falls in global oil prices on the expectation of increased supply if tankers can get through.
Brent crude fell more than 10% to just over 89 US dollars a barrel in afternoon trading on Friday, and stock markets across Europe also soared.
The FTSE 100 index lifted 0.6% to 10,656, while the Dax in Germany surged 2% and France’s Cac 40 was 1.7% higher.
The strait has been blockaded by Iran since the joint US-Israeli strikes on the country began at the end of February, threatening world oil supplies
The US and Iran are in the middle of a fragile truce which is due to last until April 22, while Israel and Lebanon have begun a 10-day ceasefire.
The strait had been blockaded by Iran since the beginning of the conflict in late February, threatening world oil supplies.
In retaliation, Trump has begun his own blockade of Iran’s oil ports, aimed at stemming Tehran’s fossil fuel income, and demanded allied nations help end Tehran’s stranglehold on the strait.
Trump added in his Truth post that ‘the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete’.
‘This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated.’
The announcement on reopening the strait came as Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting in Paris aimed at safeguarding the flow of trade through the maritime chokepoint once hostilities in the Middle East cease.
A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province (Picture: Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron greets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Elysee Presidential Palace (Picture: Reuters)
In Paris, Sir Keir pledged to do ‘everything I can’ to reopen the route as he joined the international talks, which do not feature the US, Israel or Iran.
Friday’s meeting at the Elysee Palace brings together 40 countries and the International Maritime Organisation to formulate plans for a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation.
The Prime Minister and the French President met in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, Mr Macron’s official residence, where they shook hands warmly before posing for photographs.
Sir Keir said: ‘It is very important that we build a coalition of countries around the principle that the ceasefire should be permanent, there should be a deal, and that the Strait of Hormuz is open.’
Accompanied by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton, the Prime Minister was calling for a ‘multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation’.
‘We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security,’ he said.
The talks in Paris will be followed by a multinational military planning summit at the UK’s permanent joint headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, next week.
But it remains highly unlikely that any of the countries taking part on Friday will deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz until the war is over.
Such a move is deemed too dangerous because of the risk that vessels could be attacked from Iran’s shoreline.
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