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The Strait of Hormuz reopening unfolded Friday like the lifting of a global chokehold—yet the release came with a catch. Iran announced that commercial vessels could once again pass freely through the strategic waterway, but U.S. President Donald Trump quickly countered that an American naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping would remain firmly in place.

The narrow strait, a vital artery carrying roughly 20% of the world’s oil, now sits at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical standoff—open in theory, constrained in practice.

Iran declares waterway open amid fragile truce

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on social media that the strait was fully accessible to commercial traffic, signaling a potential easing of tensions following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

The declaration suggested a return to normalcy in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, where even minor disruptions ripple through global energy markets like tremors beneath a fault line.

Trump initially echoed the optimism, posting that the strait was “fully open and ready for full passage.” But within minutes, his tone shifted sharply.

U.S. maintains pressure despite reopening

In a follow-up statement, Trump said the U.S. Navy’s blockade would continue “UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE,” underscoring Washington’s strategy of sustained pressure tied to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

He added that Iran, with U.S. assistance, is working to clear naval mines from the strait—remnants of escalating tensions that had turned the waterway into a maritime minefield.

Iranian officials pushed back. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called the blockade a violation of the ceasefire agreement, warning that Tehran would respond if Washington failed to honor its commitments.

“No leniency will be shown,” Baghaei said, emphasizing that Iran retains oversight of the strait and stands ready to act.

Confusion and internal dissent in Tehran

Despite Araghchi’s announcement, uncertainty lingered داخل Iran’s own media landscape. The Fars news agency, closely aligned with the Revolutionary Guard, questioned the clarity of the reopening decision and pointed to a “strange silence” from the Supreme National Security Council.

The Mehr news agency echoed those concerns, reporting that such a move would typically require approval from Iran’s top leadership.

The council has taken on heightened authority amid questions surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured earlier in the conflict, further clouding the chain of command.