Iran has announced the full reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, aligning the move with the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a statement posted on social media, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared that all commercial shipping is now “completely open” through the vital waterway for the duration of the truce. He added that vessels must follow a coordinated route previously outlined by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation.
“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,” he said.
The announcement came hours after former US President Donald Trump announced that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to sheathe their swords in line with a ceasefire deal earlier reached between Iran and the United States.
Following a peace talk organised by Pakistani authorities, Iran and the US had agreed to a two-week ceasefire deal. However, continued talks for peace did not pull through at Islamabad last week.
Shortly after the initial US-Iran ceasefire was agreed, Israel halted attacks on Iran but continued to hit Lebanon. Iran had warned that continued Israeli military strikes in Lebanon amounted to a violation of the agreement involving the United States, stating that the situation could derail ongoing diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global transit corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, had faced disruptions in recent weeks amid escalating hostilities. Its reopening is expected to stabilise maritime trade and energy markets, at least for the duration of the ceasefire.
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