TEHRAN/WASHINGTON, Apr 17:Iran on Friday said that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” for all commercial vessels, a move welcomed by US President Donald Trump.
“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.
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The announcement of the reopening of the vital waterway by Araghchi comes a day after President Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
Araghchi, however, said the ships must sail “on the coordinated route as already announced” by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran.
Minutes later, President Trump also shared the announcement in a post on Truth Social.
“Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you!” Trump said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz following its conflict with the US and Israel, crippling global energy supplies.
Trump, however, said the naval blockade against Iran will remain in “full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with the US to end the war.
He said the Strait of Hormuz “is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but 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.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan has started preparing to host the second round of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran during the next week.
The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended early Sunday without any agreement.
Official sources in Pakistan on Friday said a feverish diplomatic activity followed to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. It was met with success as both continue to observe the temporary two-week ceasefire, allowing Pakistan to relaunch its mediatory push. (PTI)
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