President Donald Trump said Friday that a key global petroleum chokepoint is open again, even as U.S. military pressure on Iran continues.
In a post on Truth Social on April 17, 2026, Trump wrote, “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened to commercial shipping for the duration of a U.S.-brokered 10-day truce tied to fighting in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said passage for vessels was “declared completely open” for the duration of the truce, according to reporting from NBC News.
The announcement comes amid a broader diplomatic push to de-escalate weeks of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces. A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to be holding early Friday, though uncertainty remained over whether Hezbollah would accept terms negotiated without its direct involvement, according to reporting from PBS.
Despite the reopening, Trump indicated that U.S. pressure on Iran has not been lifted. He said separately that the U.S. naval blockade targeting Iranian ports “will remain in full force” until a comprehensive agreement is reached, according to reporting from NBC News. The blockade, launched earlier this week, targets Iranian ships and ports even as commercial traffic through the strait is being allowed to resume.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!”
In several other posts, he thanked “Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar” for their “bravery and help,” while shaming North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) powers for an alleged lack of support.
Market reactions were immediate. Oil prices reportedly fell sharply and U.S. stock indexes built on record highs following news that shipping through the strait could resume.
Military officials have emphasized that the blockade remains a central lever in ongoing negotiations. In a Thursday briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly degraded and urged its leadership to accept a deal while conditions favor diplomacy, according to reporting from The Dallas Express. He also disputed Iran’s claims of controlling the waterway, stating the United States is enforcing the blockade with a fraction of its naval power.
The broader conflict has killed thousands across the region, including in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel, according to AP and Reuters. U.S. officials have framed the current ceasefire and partial reopening of maritime routes as a potential turning point, though they caution that negotiations remain fragile.
Trump, writing on Truth Social, suggested that talks with Iran “should go very quickly,” signaling optimism that a longer-term agreement could be within reach.