Iran Declares Hormuz ‘Completely Open,’ Citing Lebanon Ceasefire Update: Closed Again
April 17th, 2026
Update: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again Over U.S. Blockade
Via: DW:
Iran has reversed its decision of reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as the US maintains a blockade on the Islamic republic’s ports.
Iran’s military announced the decision in a statement carried by Iranian media.
The strait, through which a fifth of crude oil and petroleum products pass, was reopened on Friday after remaining mostly closed amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, effectively creating among the worst energy crises in modern history.
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Via: USA Today:
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” to all commercial vessels, the country’s foreign minister said, meeting a central demand of the U.S. as the two countries tease another round of peace talks and the clock winds down on a delicate two-week ceasefire.
In his announcement on Friday, Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the declaration was made possible by a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which appeared to be holding on Friday.
Iran had maintained that Israel must stop attacking Lebanon before Iranian leaders would continue peace talks with the U.S.
President Donald Trump said shortly after the ceasefire announcement on Thursday that he may travel to Pakistan to approve a peace deal.
Both Iranian and U.S. officials said another round of negotiations could soon occur, though no timetable has been set. Trump on Thursday said talks could pick up as soon as this weekend.
