Araghchi: Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ during ceasefire
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz “is declared completely open” in line with a ceasefire in Lebanon and would remain open for the remaining period of the ceasefire.
“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Araghchi wrote in a post on X.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire to end six-week fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement.
Trump on Friday affirmed the strait is “ready for full passage” in a social media post minutes after Araghchi posted his message.
Iran had blocked the strategic waterway following the launch of the illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28.
Oil prices were falling by more than 10 percent after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, which would allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf again and carry crude to customers worldwide.
Trump, however, said the US naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Iran reaches a deal with the US to end the war.
Since April 14, the US has imposed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz aimed at forcing Iran to reopen the strategic waterway.
UN envoy underscores respect for Iran’s inalienable rights
Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani in a statement delivered during a UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday said sustainable stability in the Strait of Hormuz is only possible through full respect for Iran’s inalienable rights and interests.
“The realization of the principles of freedom of navigation and maritime safety in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman — particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which lies within the territorial seas of its coastal States — is only possible through full respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of those coastal States,” he said.
“As such, sustainable stability in the Strait of Hormuz and in the region can only be achieved through the cessation of aggression and the full respect for Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.”
Iravani also warned that the United States’ unlawful actions in the region escalate tensions and threaten both maritime security and international trade.