Strait of Hormuz reopens as Iran signals shipping routes, but US blockade remains

Iran said onFriday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels. President Donald Trump then said a US naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports would still continue. Trump linked any change to a deal with Tehran. The dispute kept focus on the waterway that carries about 20 per cent of world oil.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that the strait was "now fully open\" for commercial traffic. Araghchi said ships would use routes set by the Islamic Republic. Iran would coordinate those routes with Iranian authorities. It was unclear whether vessels would have to pay tolls.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and US-Iran deal talks

Trump first welcomed the reopening message online and said the strait was ready for full passage. Minutes later, Trump posted that the US Navy blockade would continue. Trump wrote it would stay \"UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.\" The blockade was imposed earlier this week after Iran restricted traffic.

A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the blockade a breach of the ceasefire deal. In remarks carried by Iranian state media, Esmail Baghaei said Iran still supervises the strait. Baghaei added, \"But if the US violates its own commitments, then Iran will take the necessary reciprocal measures. No leniency will be shown in this regard,\"

Trump also said Iran, with US help, is removing all mines from the channel. Iran had said earlier restrictions followed fighting in Lebanon. Iran said that violence violated a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran. The two-week ceasefire reached last week paused almost seven weeks of war.

Direct talks between the US and Iran last weekend ended without a deal. The sides disagreed on Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues. Trump suggested another meeting could happen soon. Trump told Axios, \"The Iranians want to meet,\" and added, \"They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend.\"

Oil prices fell on Friday on hopes the US and Iran were moving closer to agreement. The head of the International Energy Agency had warned the energy crisis could deepen. The warning focused on the risk if the strait stayed closed. Markets reacted after signs of possible renewed talks and reports of shipping access.

Strait of Hormuz reopening questioned inside Iran

Two Iranian semiofficial outlets questioned Araghchi’s statement about reopening. Fars, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard, criticised the lack of clarity. It also cited silence from the Supreme National Security Council and the negotiating team. The council has acted as a top decision-making body amid doubts over Mojtaba Khamenei’s status.

Mehr news agency also said the decision required clarification and needed the supreme leader’s approval. Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly wounded early in the war. The reports added to uncertainty over how shipping rules would be applied. They also raised questions about how much control Iran would keep over traffic routes.

Strait of Hormuz and the Lebanon truce

A 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to be holding. The pause could remove one obstacle to a wider agreement after weeks of war. Still, it was unclear how far Hezbollah would follow a deal it did not negotiate. Israeli troops were also expected to stay in part of southern Lebanon.

Trump posted that Israel was prohibited by the US from further strikes on Lebanon. Trump added that enough is enough in the Israel-Hezbollah war. The US State Department said the restriction applied only to offensive attacks. It said Israel could still act in self-defence.

Shortly before Trump’s post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel agreed to the truce \"at the request of my friend President Trump.\" Netanyahu said the campaign against Hezbollah was not complete. Netanyahu claimed Israel destroyed about 90 per cent of Hezbollah missile and rocket stockpiles. Netanyahu added Israeli forces had not finished dismantling the group.

In Beirut, celebratory gunfire was heard as the truce began. Displaced families started heading to southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Officials warned residents not to return until the ceasefire’s strength was clearer. The Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers also reported sporadic shelling after the truce started.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli strike near Kounine hit a car and a motorcycle. It said one person died and three were wounded, including a Syrian citizen. The ministry said it was the first airstrike and first fatality since the truce began. There was no immediate response from the Israeli army or Hezbollah.

Strait of Hormuz disputes and Israel troop plans in Lebanon

Israel said it will keep troops in Lebanon after fierce battles with Hezbollah. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would hold current positions. Katz included a buffer zone extending 10 kilometres into southern Lebanon. Katz said many homes in the area would be destroyed. Katz added Lebanese residents will not return.

Hezbollah said Lebanese people have a right to resist Israeli occupation. Hezbollah said its actions would depend on how events develop. Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have clashed since the Gaza war began. Israel and Lebanon reached a deal in November 2024, but strikes continued.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed. Iranian negotiators had demanded an end to Israel’s war with Hezbollah. Iran had accused Israel of breaking a ceasefire with strikes on Lebanon.

Strait of Hormuz and talks over Iran’s nuclear programme

A regional official said mediators were seeking compromise on three issues. The points were Iran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages. Trump suggested Iran had agreed to hand over enriched uranium. Trump posted, \"The USA will get all Nuclear Dust, created by our great B2 Bombers -- No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,\"

Trump often uses \"nuclear dust\" to describe highly enriched uranium believed buried at sites hit by US strikes. The US bombed nuclear sites during last year’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran. If Iran agreed, it would be a major concession. Iran and intermediaries have not confirmed any such agreement.

For now, Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial vessels under routes it designates. The US kept the blockade in place while pushing for a wider deal with Tehran. Questions inside Iran over approvals added uncertainty about the reopening decision. The Lebanon truce held but remained under close watch after reported violence.

With inputs from PTI