A diplomatic breakthrough is emerging in the Middle East. Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels as part of the ongoing ceasefire with the United States. This strategic passage alone accounts for around 20% of global oil traffic, which has been severely disrupted since the start of the war.
This announcement comes at a time when hostilities are on pause on several fronts, including in Lebanon. Donald Trump has expressed particular confidence in the outcome of the discussions with Tehran. “We are very close to reaching an agreement,” he said, stating that there are no longer any “points of contention” between the two countries.
Trump highlights a diplomatic victory
The American president quickly reacted to the Iranian decision, adopting a decidedly satisfied tone. “Thank you!” he wrote on Truth Social, before asserting that the Islamic Republic had committed to “never close” the strait again, a highly strategic point for the global economy.
Beyond this reaction, Donald Trump sought to highlight the progress made in the negotiations. He specifically mentioned the sensitive issue of highly enriched uranium, claiming that an agreement had been reached on this point, without official confirmation from Iran. This information was later denied by Tehran, who responded on Friday. Despite this display of confidence, Donald Trump maintained a firm line by stating that the American blockade on Iranian ports would remain “fully in force” until a comprehensive agreement was reached.
A regulated opening and persistent divergences
From Tehran’s side, the communication remains more measured. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, indicated that “the passage of all commercial ships […] is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire,” without clearly specifying which ceasefire agreement he was referring to. The Iranian regime also stated, from Friday night to Saturday, that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed again if the United States did not lift the blockade.
Iranian authorities also emphasized that there was no external pressure. The head of the navy, Admiral Shahram Irani, stated: “We are not blocked,” adding that “every day, ships respecting the rules […] pass through the strait.” This was a way of reminding that, according to them, this opening is controlled.
Markets react, but caution remains
The impact of this announcement was immediate on energy markets. Oil prices dropped significantly, with Brent down by 10.50% to $88.95 and WTI falling by 11.40% to $83.90. This movement reflects renewed optimism regarding the security of global supplies.
(*Context: The article discusses the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as part of the ceasefire with the US, mentioning reactions from both sides and the impact on markets. The information provided is accurate and neutral.)
