Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open to shipping but Trump says U.S. blockade still active

Key Points

• Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels, citing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• President Trump stated the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports will remain 'in full force' until a transaction with Iran is '100% complete.'
• The split creates a dual reality: commercial traffic may resume, but U.S. forces are still enforcing the blockade as part of pressure on Iran's nuclear program.
• Mediators are pushing a compromise on three sticking points: Iran's nuclear program, the strait's status, and compensation for wartime damages.

Full Details

On April 17, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced via X that the Strait of Hormuz is 'completely open' to commercial vessels, effective immediately, due to a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. President Donald Trump initially celebrated the announcement but quickly clarified that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports will remain 'in full force' until a transaction with Iran is '100% complete,' signaling continued enforcement by U.S. warships. The strait is a critical chokepoint for about 20% of the world's oil shipments, and the split reality means commercial traffic may resume under coordinated routes, but U.S. forces are still turning back vessels tied to Iranian ports. Mediators are pushing a compromise on three main issues: Iran's nuclear program, the strait's status, and compensation for wartime damages, with Trump suggesting he might extend the ceasefire if a deal is near. This situation follows Trump's imposition of the blockade earlier this week after Iran restricted traffic due to fighting in Lebanon, which he claimed breached a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire.