While Trump declared that the strait is now “ready for business,” he also warned that a US naval blockade targeting Iran would remain in place until ongoing arrangements are fully completed.
US President Donald Trump (File Photo:IANS)
A major geopolitical flashpoint showed signs of easing on Friday after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, prompting a strong and celebratory response from US President Donald Trump, who also declared the critical waterway “fully open and ready for full passage.”
The move comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, signalling a temporary de-escalation in a region central to global energy flows.
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Reacting through a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump went beyond welcoming the move, claiming a broader breakthrough with Tehran.
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He asserted that Iran has agreed to never shut the Strait of Hormuz again and said the waterway would no longer be used “as a weapon against the world.” He also claimed that Iran, with US assistance, has begun removing sea mines from the region.
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” for commercial shipping, signalling a temporary easing of tensions in a critical global oil route. However, he maintained that the US naval blockade on Iran will continue “in full force” until a final… pic.twitter.com/xXHNzKmpzH
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) April 17, 2026
Earlier today, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the reopening of the Strait is directly tied to the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. He stated that commercial vessels would be allowed safe passage during the truce period, but under strict conditions. Ships are required to follow designated routes and coordinate with Iranian authorities, indicating that Tehran continues to exercise tight control over maritime movement.
In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026
While Trump declared that the strait is now “ready for business,” he also warned that a US naval blockade targeting Iran would remain in place until ongoing arrangements are fully completed.
He added that the process should move quickly, suggesting that most key points between the two sides have already been negotiated.
Trump also thanked regional players, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, for their role in supporting the development.
Trump revealed that NATO had reached out offering assistance following the developments in Hormuz, but he says he dismissed the proposal outright.
According to Trump, he told NATO to “stay away,” taking a swipe at the alliance by calling it ineffective when it was needed and dismissing it as a “paper tiger.” He added that NATO’s involvement would only make sense if it intended to benefit from oil shipments.
The reopening follows Trump’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, brokered after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Trump said both leaders had agreed to halt hostilities to create space for wider negotiations. In a hardline stance, he also asserted that Israel would no longer carry out strikes in Lebanon, claiming the US had prohibited further attacks.
The developments around Hormuz and the ceasefire are being viewed as part of a larger diplomatic push involving Iran and the United States.
In one of his posts on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the US would take custody of nuclear material generated from recent military operations, insisting that no financial exchange would be involved. He also said the US would separately engage with Lebanon to address the Hezbollah situation.
Tehran had earlier signalled that progress on any broader agreement would depend on a halt in hostilities involving Lebanon, making the current ceasefire a crucial test.
With the Strait of Hormuz reopened, though under conditions, and tensions temporarily easing, the focus now shifts to whether this fragile pause can evolve into a more durable regional settlement.
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