Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz For Oil Tankers Amid Ceasefire

 

Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial oil tankers, easing global concerns over energy supply disruptions following heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, disclosed on Friday, April 17, 2026, that the strategic waterway will remain accessible to commercial vessels for the duration of an ongoing ceasefire.

“The passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” Araghchi wrote on X.

However, it remained unclear whether the minister was referring to the recently agreed 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel, which took effect at midnight, or an earlier two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States that began on April 8.

The reopening followed a period of disruption after Iran effectively blocked access to the Strait, a critical route for global oil shipments. Iranian state media reported that Tehran had tied the reopening of the channel to the extension of a ceasefire involving Lebanon.

Lebanon became entangled in the broader conflict after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Iran, its longstanding ally, amid a wider confrontation involving the United States and Israel that began on February 28.

An unnamed senior Iranian military official told state television that only civilian vessels would be permitted to pass through designated routes, subject to approval by the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“The passage of military vessels through the Strait of Hormuz remains prohibited,” the official stated.

Meanwhile, the United States President, Donald Trump, welcomed Iran’s decision to reopen the waterway but maintained that Washington’s naval blockade targeting Iranian ports would continue until a comprehensive agreement is reached.

“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,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, adding that “this process should go very quickly.”

Global oil markets reacted swiftly to the development, with prices dropping after the announcement, reversing earlier gains triggered by supply concerns.