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Iran declared on April 17 that the Strait of Hormuz will be “completely open” for as long as the ceasefire in Lebanon goes on.
A ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was announced a day earlier by United States President Donald Trump.
“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,” wrote Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X.
However, the minister noted that all ships must sail “on the coordinated route as already announced” by the Islamic Republic.
A senior Iranian official later told Reuters that all commercial ships, including U.S. vessels, can sail through the Strait of Hormuz, although their plans need to be coordinated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The official added that transits would be restricted to lanes Iran deemed safe, stressing that military vessels were still prohibited from crossing the strait.
Trump was quick to celebrate Iran’s announcement on Truth Social, referring to the Strait of Hormuz as the “STRAIT OF IRAN.”
“IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE,” he wrote.
In a follow up post, Trump said that the U.S. naval blockade on Iran-linked ships passing through the waterway will remain in effect,
“THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE, BUT THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN ONLY, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE,” TRUMP wrote.
“THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY, IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED,” he said, referring to a brewing deal with Iran to permanently end the war.
Trump added in another post that “Iran, with the help of the USA, has removed, or is removing, all sea mines,” from the Strait of Hormuz.
He claimed in one more post to Truth Social that “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again,” although the Islamic Republic made no such announcement.
“It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!” Trump added.
These developments came right after Axios reported that the U.S. and Iran are discussing a proposal to permanently end their war that includes the Islamic Republic handing over its stockpile of enriched uranium in exchange for Washington releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds.
Trump, however, indirectly denied the report, also pushing back against reports suggesting that the ceasefire with Iran was related to Lebanon.
“The USA will get all Nuclear ‘dust’ created by our great B2 Bombers. No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer,” he continued.
“They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the USA. Enough is enough,” he added.
Following Iran’s announcement and Trump’s remarks U.S. crude oil plunged 12% to nearly $83 per barrel, while international Brent crude also slid more than 11% to around $88 per barrel.
The latest developments indicate that a deal between the U.S. and Iran may be around the corner. Still, things could quickly fall apart, especially that there is still no trust between the two countries. Even if an agreement was reached, it may not hold up for long.
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more stock price manipulating by peace prez