Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz for commercial ships, military vessels still prohibited
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade, is now "completely open" for commercial ships. This decision is contingent on a ceasefire in the Middle East holding, though it was unclear whether he referred to the 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel or an earlier two-week truce between Iran and the United States. Iran had previously linked the reopening of the waterway to an extended ceasefire in Lebanon. A senior Iranian military official clarified that only civilian vessels would be permitted passage through designated routes with the approval of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, while military vessels remain prohibited. US President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement but stated that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal with Tehran is finalized. Following Iran's announcement, oil prices, which had surged due to supply disruptions, significantly decreased.
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