Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open to shipping but Trump says U.S. blockade still active
Iran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial ships during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but confusion quickly emerged about whether the sea lane was really open without conditions. “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,” Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on social media. However, vessels must transit through a “coordinated route” announced by Iran’s maritime authorities, Araghchi said. It is unclear whether Tehran will force ships to pay a toll to pass the strait. President Donald Trump on Friday thanked Iran for opening the strait in a social media post. But Trump said the U.S. naval blockade of Iran’s ports will stay in effect until an agreement is reached with Tehran. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, quickly disputed Trump’s claim that Tehran had cleared the strait for transit. “With the continuation of the blockade…
17 Apr 00:00 · Inlandnewstoday