Iran allows full vessel passage through Hormuz amid ceasefire

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for commercial vessel movement during the ongoing ceasefire period in Lebanon, signalling a temporary easing of maritime restrictions in the region.

In a post on X, Araghchi said that, in line with the ceasefire, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has been declared “completely open” for the remaining duration of the truce. He added that vessels are required to follow the coordinated route already announced by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran.

Responding to the development, former US President Donald J. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Iran had announced the strait is “fully open and ready for full passage,” welcoming the move.

The move follows a period of heightened tensions in the region, after vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted around late February 2026 amid security concerns linked to the conflict. The situation raised fears of restricted access to the route, impacting shipping schedules and increasing risks for global trade flows, particularly for oil and energy shipments passing through the corridor.

In a related development, former US President Donald J. Trump had earlier ordered a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports on April 13, 2026, following the collapse of diplomatic talks with Tehran. The blockade, enforced by US naval forces, aimed to stop vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in an effort to pressure Iran economically and push it towards negotiations. The move significantly disrupted maritime trade linked to Iran, with several ships being intercepted or forced to turn back, escalating tensions across the region and impacting shipping activity around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, handling a significant share of global oil shipments, and any disruption to its operations directly affects international shipping, freight rates and energy supply chains.