KATHMANDU: Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil supply routes, will be reopened for commercial vessels.
Tehran had closed the vital shipping lane after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X on Friday that the route would remain open for the remaining period of the 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
However, Iran has imposed a condition that ships must only use a “coordinated safe corridor” designated by the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization and Iranian port authorities.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump described Iran’s latest move as positive for the world. However, he clarified that the US naval blockade around Iranian ports would remain in place until a full peace agreement is reached between the two countries.
The current ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on April 22.
Despite Iran’s claim that the route has been reopened, international maritime groups have warned that it remains risky for ships to pass through the area immediately. According to ship-tracking data, vessel movement in the region is still very limited.
Iranian military officials have also stated that while commercial ships are allowed to pass through the strait, foreign military vessels are still banned from entering the route.
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