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US President Donald Trump thanked Iran for fully opening the Strait of Hormuz, but said the American naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain "in full force" until a deal between Washington and Tehran is finalized.

In a series of Truth Social posts on Friday, Trump wrote: "The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage. But the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 percent complete." In a separate post, he said: "Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you!"

Trump's comments came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that all commercial vessels will be allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz "completely open" for the remaining period of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, on a coordinated route declared by Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy shipping route, responsible for about a fifth of the world's oil supply, according to multiple reports.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the announcement has been consistent across outlets, with variations in emphasis. Al Jazeera highlighted Trump's gratitude toward Gulf states for their "tremendous" support at a Turning Point USA event, framing the opening as a positive development. The Jerusalem Post noted the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as a precursor to the opening, while also raising questions about the safety of the route due to the presence of marine mines. Yonhap News emphasized Trump's insistence that the blockade will remain until a deal is agreed, and his stated goal of ensuring Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.

Key Claims

  • Iran announced the Strait is open: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said ships can cross the Strait of Hormuz on a coordinated route, effective for the duration of the ceasefire. This was reported by the Jerusalem Post and Yonhap.
  • Trump confirmed the opening: In a Truth Social message, Trump said the Strait is "fully opened and ready for full passage," according to the Jerusalem Post and Yonhap.
  • Blockade remains: Trump said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain "in full force" until a deal is reached, as reported by Yonhap.
  • No nuclear weapon: Trump repeatedly emphasized that his "number one" goal in negotiations is to ensure Iran has no nuclear weapon, according to Yonhap. He also claimed Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile, a claim carried by a single outlet and not yet independently verified.
  • Marine mines: The Jerusalem Post reported that US intelligence is not confident in Iran's capacity to clear marine mines from the Strait, citing a New York Times report. This claim is attributed to a single outlet and not independently verified.

Perspectives

  • US Administration: Trump frames the opening as a success and stresses that the blockade is a bargaining chip until a comprehensive deal is signed. He expresses optimism that the process will move quickly, saying "most of the points are already negotiated."
  • Iranian Government: Araghchi's announcement frames the opening as a goodwill gesture tied to the ceasefire in Lebanon, though the requirement for ships to use a coordinated route suggests ongoing security concerns.
  • Regional Observers: Some commentators, like those at the Jerusalem Post, note that the need for a coordinated route indicates marine mines remain in the water and that Iran may not know where they are placed, raising doubts about the safety of full passage.

Analysis

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz marks a significant de-escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran, but the continued blockade and unresolved nuclear issues keep tensions alive. Trump's remarks suggest a deal is close, but the condition that the blockade remains until a deal is "100 percent complete" indicates caution. The lack of independent verification of Iran's pledge to hand over enriched uranium means that aspect of the negotiations remains uncertain. The maritime safety of the Strait, given unconfirmed minefields, is another factor that could affect shipping traffic and insurance costs.