STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS 'COMPLETELY OPEN' FOR COMMERCIAL SHIPS DURING CEASEFIRE

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade, will remain “completely open” to commercial ships as long as a ceasefire in the Middle East holds.

“The passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” Araghchi said on X.

It was not immediately clear whether he was referring to the 10-day truce agreed by Lebanon and Israel that went into effect at midnight or an earlier two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States that began on April 8.

Iran, which had previously disrupted passage through the strategic waterway amid tensions, reportedly made the continuation of a ceasefire extension involving Lebanon a condition for reopening the strait, according to state media.

Lebanon was drawn into the wider conflict launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 after Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of Iran, its key ally.

An Iranian senior military official told state broadcaster that only civilian vessels would be allowed passage through designated routes and subject to approval by the navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“The passage of military vessels through the Strait of Hormuz remains prohibited,” the official said.

US President Donald Trump welcomed Iran’s announcement that the waterway would be open, but said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a peace deal with Tehran is reached.

“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,” Trump said on his Truth Social network, adding that “this process should go very quickly”.

Oil prices, which had surged during earlier supply disruptions, fell sharply following Iran’s announcement reopening the Strait.