Says decision is in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon; Trump says ‘thank you’ on Truth Social
The Iranian foreign minister on Friday announced the opening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz for the passage of all commercial ships for the remainder of the US-brokered 10-day truce between Israeli forces and Hezbollah agreed between Israel and Lebanon.
In a post on X, FM Abbas Araghchi said: “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 Republic of Iran.”
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
US President Donald Trump also shared the announcement in a post on Truth Social.
“Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you!”
However, he said in another post that the US Navy’s blockade of Hormuz would continue until a deal with Iran was achieved, adding that it should happen soon as most of the negotiation points were agreed to.
Despite a two-week US-Iran ceasefire that expires on Tuesday, Iran had so far not lifted its blockade of the waterway. Tehran had said there would be no deal as long as Israel was striking Lebanon.
Oil prices plunged by more than 11%, extending previous losses, after the announcement.
Brent crude futures dropped by $11.12, or 11.2%, to $88.27 a barrel at 1311 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $11.40, or 12%, to $83.29 a barrel.
“Comments from Iran’s foreign minister indicate a de-escalation as long as the ceasefire is in place, now we need to see also if the number of tankers crossing the Strait increases substantially,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.
Prices were already down earlier in the session as possible further talks between the US and Iran at the weekend in Pakistan and a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel raised investors’ hopes that the war in the Middle East could be nearing an end.
Power Minister Awais Leghari celebrated the development in a post on X.
“Pakistan has been granted this opportunity, through the tireless efforts of our Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, to become a champion of global peace. A ceasefire has been achieved in Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz has opened today for commercial transit. God wiling, due to these efforts, there will soon be a reduction in petrol and diesel prices, and with the availability of LNG, there will be an abundance of electricity.”
اللہ تعالی کا شکر کہ پاکستان کو یہ موقع ملا کہ ہمارے وزیراعظم شہباز شریف اور فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر کی بھر پور کوششوں سے پاکستان عالمی امن کا علمبردار بنا ، لبنان میں جنگ بندی ہو ئی اور آبنائے ہرمز کمرشل آمد ورفت کیلیے آج کھل گئی ہے انشاءاللہ ان کوششوں کی وجہ سے پٹرول اور… pic.twitter.com/4lC3FS7Mwc
— Awais Leghari (@akleghari) April 17, 2026
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More to follow.
