Iran declares Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’

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Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” to all commercial vessels.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced in a post on X that the decision to open the strategic waterway aligns with the terms of the Lebanon ceasefire agreement.

He said, “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,” he said.

Following Mr Araghchi’s announcement, oil prices fell below $90 a barrel.

International benchmark Brent crude futures fell to $87.94. Also, US crude fell a similar amount to $83.33 a barrel.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Israel and Lebanon reached a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday. The announcement was made by President Donald Trump, who also disclosed that President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel met in Washington on Tuesday, the first meeting in 34 years. 

Throughout last week, Israel’s attacks on Lebanon continued despite the two-week ceasefire agreement between the US/Israel and Iran.

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Mr Netanyahu’s office had declared that the ceasefire does not apply to the country, despite Pakistan’s insistence that the ceasefire agreement included Lebanon.

On the latest agreement between the US and Iran, Mr Trump confirmed that the strait was “completely open and ready for business and full passage.

“It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!” he wrote on Truth Social.

He also said the US naval blockade of Iran would “remain in full force” until Iran reached a deal with the US to end the war.

With the next round of talks set to be held in Islamabad, Mr Trump said his agreement to end the US-Israeli war on Iran was “very close”.

He also stated that while the two-week ceasefire might be extended, this might not be needed if progress is not impeded.

He also said, “We’re going to see what happens. But I think we’re very close to making a deal with Iran.”