TEHRAN – Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most strategic oil shipping route, under the terms of a fragile ceasefire, offering short-term relief to jittery global energy markets.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the waterway would remain accessible to commercial vessels for the duration of the current truce. “The passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire,” he said.
The decision follows weeks of disruption after Iran closed the strait on 28 February in response to military actions involving the United States and Israel. That shutdown had sparked immediate fears of supply shortages and a sharp rise in crude prices.
However, uncertainty persists over the exact scope of the ceasefire. It remains unclear whether the commitment applies strictly to the ongoing ten-day truce involving Israel and Lebanon, or to the earlier two-week agreement between Iran and the United States, which began on 8 April.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital corridor through which a substantial volume of global oil shipments passes daily. Any disruption poses a direct threat to energy security, particularly for import-dependent economies.
Reacting to the announcement, US President Donald Trump welcomed the move, signalling cautious optimism from Washington. “THANK YOU!” Trump wrote, adding that the waterway was now “FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE.”
Iran’s decision is directly tied to the ceasefire arrangement, meaning any breakdown in the truce could swiftly reverse the reopening. This precarious balance keeps oil markets on edge, with traders and governments monitoring developments closely.
The earlier closure has already exposed the vulnerability of global oil supply chains to geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. Even brief disruptions can trigger sharp reactions in crude prices and shipping costs.
For now, the reopening restores a degree of stability to international oil flows, but the situation remains fragile. The durability of the ceasefire will ultimately determine whether the Strait of Hormuz stays open or becomes a flashpoint once more in an already volatile region.