Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open: Trump insists blockade remains in force until final deal

Tensions over global energy and maritime security took a sharp turn Friday as Iran announced that the strategic Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” for commercial shipping, even as U.S. President Donald Trump said a U.S. naval blockade remains in “full force.” The conflicting declarations underscored ongoing uncertainty in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the decision in a post on social platform X, framing the move as part of a broader ceasefire arrangement. He wrote:

“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,”

The announcement suggested a partial de-escalation after months of disruption in the waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil shipments and has been mostly restricted since conflict between the United States and Iran escalated earlier this year.

President Trump responded quickly on Truth Social, welcoming the development while emphasizing that U.S. military pressure would continue. In one post he wrote:

“IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU,”

However, he later clarified that U.S. operations in the region would not be scaled back. He added:

“THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE, BUT 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. THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED,”

The dual messaging highlighted the fragile and still-unresolved nature of U.S.-Iran negotiations, even as diplomatic activity accelerates across multiple channels.

Markets reacted positively to the news of improved shipping access. Major U.S. indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq, all posted gains as traders weighed the possibility of reduced energy supply risks. Oil prices, which had previously surged during the period of restricted passage, eased further. Brent crude fell to $89, while West Texas Intermediate dropped to $81.

The Strait’s partial reopening comes alongside a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which officials hope could open the door to broader regional stabilization efforts. The pause in hostilities follows months of strikes and counterstrikes involving Israel and Iran-backed forces in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah.

In parallel diplomatic developments, negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue with mediation efforts involving third countries. Pakistan has played a facilitating role in communications, with officials indicating that a second round of talks is being prepared, though no date has been finalized. Earlier discussions in Islamabad reportedly failed to produce concrete progress.

Trump also addressed speculation about international involvement, claiming he received outreach from NATO. He dismissed the offer in a post, saying:

“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!”

He separately praised U.S. Gulf partners, thanking Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their “bravery and help,” signaling continued reliance on regional allies amid shifting negotiations.

The evolving situation leaves the Strait of Hormuz at the center of a complex geopolitical balancing act: partially reopened for global commerce, still contested in military terms, and tightly bound to fragile diplomatic talks that could determine whether the current ceasefire momentum expands into a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran.