Is the Strait of Hormuz really open? Here’s what you need to know about the fragile standoff
Although the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supply, has been declared fully open for commercial vessels, its operational status remains contested.
Both Washington and Tehran confirmed on Friday that the strait had been fully opened to commercial shipping.
However, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the US naval blockade would “remain in full force.” In response, Iran warned it could close the waterway again if the US blockade continues. These conflicting statements have cast doubt on whether the strait is truly open. The following outlines the key developments amid ongoing uncertainty.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the Strait of Hormuz is now open to commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire.
“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire,” Araghchi wrote.
However, citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that if the United States continues its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire and may close the waterway.
The source said Iran had initially agreed to allow some vessels to pass under a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire plan, but suspended the arrangement because the ceasefire was not enforced in Lebanon and did not apply to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Iran has specified three conditions for passage: vessels must be commercial and not military, unaffiliated with hostile countries, and must follow Iran-determined routes with prior coordination with Iranian authorities, according to the source.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday welcomed Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels during the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, his spokesperson said.
“The secretary-general considers this a step in the right direction,” said spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in a statement. “The secretary-general remains fully supportive of diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also described Iran’s announcement as a step in the right direction. He further announced that a neutral, independent mission would be established to help ensure the openness of the Strait of Hormuz.
Fragile situation
Although Iran has agreed to halt the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the situation remains fragile and complex.
“Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the world!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The US president said the naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels will remain in full force until a comprehensive deal to end the war is reached.
“The naval blockade on Iran is helping to make a deal. I will not lift it until we make a deal,” he said.
Trump added that he would only lift the blockade once “our transaction with Iran is 100 percent complete,” expressing optimism that negotiations on a broader agreement with Tehran “should go very quickly.”
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz triggered a sharp sell-off in energy markets. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery fell by $10.84, or 11.45%, to settle at $83.85 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent Crude settled around the $90 mark on Friday, but was trading at around $92 on Saturday morning.
“With the price of oil heading towards $80 per barrel, this is a breakthrough,” said Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon, adding that the political outlook remains uncertain.
For European policymakers, some of Trump’s remarks are likely to raise concerns. “Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load up their ships with oil. They were useless when needed, a paper tiger!” Trump said.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Friday that the organization is verifying Iran’s announcement regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Dominguez told Xinhua that verification is focused on “compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage using the IMO-established traffic separation scheme.”
Xinhua
