Hours after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial vessels, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that the Islamic Republic has agreed to never close it again.
In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!”
His remarks came shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on X. Araghchi wrote, “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.”
The Strait of Hormuz, which is a narrow yet key waterway, has been effectively shut since the beginning of the conflict, which began in late February, in retaliation for the US and Israel attacking Tehran and targeting its key military and naval forces, including the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for transporting nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil. The shutdown by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in retaliation for the US-Israel strikes sent shockwaves across the world, a move that even rattled the global energy markets. As a result, oil prices jumped to touch $120 a barrel before retreating later in March.
This is a developing story. More details awaited.
