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DUBAI/WASHINGTON – Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, raising optimism about peace talks, but Tehran warned that it could close the crucial waterway again if the recent US Navy blockade of Iranian ports continued.

The Foreign Minister announced on social media that the strait, a slender chokepoint in global energy trade, was open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the US-brokered 10-day truce that was agreed on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon, which was invaded by Israel after the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group joined the fighting.

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, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation.

The US President, who with Israel launched the war on Iran that has killed thousands of people and led to the strait’s de facto closure, told supporters at a rally in Arizona that the announcement marked “a great and brilliant day for the world.”

But subsequent statements and clarifications from both sides left uncertainty over how quickly shipping might return to normal, and some vessels could be observed making unsuccessful attempts cross the strait on Friday before turning back.

The US President said a US blockade of ships sailing to Iranian ports, announced after talks with Iran last weekend ended without agreement, would remain until “our transaction with Iran is 100% complete”.

Iran responded sharply, with a senior negotiator saying in a social media post that the strait, which until recently carried about a fifth of the world’s oil trade, “will not remain open” if the US blockade continues. He also said the US President had made multiple false claims about the peace talks on Friday.

Iran has said all ships must coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was not the case before the war. The Defense Ministry said in a statement quoted by state television that military vessels and ships linked to “hostile forces” were still not permitted to pass.

Vessel traffic data showed a group of around 20 ships, including container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers, moving through the Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, but most ended up turning back, although it was not clear why. The group included three container ships operated by a French shipping group, which declined to comment.

It was the largest group of vessels to attempt the transit since the start of the war.

It also was unclear how the two sides would address Iran’s nuclear program, which has been a key sticking point in peace talks so far, with Iran defending its right to what it says is a civilian nuclear energy program.

The US President told news media the US would remove Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson told state TV the material would not be transferred anywhere.

Separately, a senior Iranian official said that Iran hoped a preliminary agreement could be reached in the coming days that could extend a ceasefire that is due to expire next week. That could buy more time for negotiations on lifting sanctions on Iran and securing compensation for war damages, the official said.

Oil prices tumble, stocks jump

Oil prices fell about 10%, and global stocks jumped on the news that marine traffic might flow through the strait again.

Shipping companies cautiously welcomed Iran’s announcement but said they would require clarifications, including about the risk of mines, before vessels move through the entry point to the Gulf.

The US Navy warned seafarers that the mine threat in parts of the waterway was not fully understood and said they should consider avoiding the area.

After a video conference on Friday, more than a dozen countries said they were willing to join an international mission to protect shipping in the strait when conditions permit.

Diplomacy progress

The US President told news media there could probably be more peace talks this weekend. Some diplomats said that was unlikely given the logistics of gathering in the Pakistani capital

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. Historically, it has been a key trade route for centuries, but in the modern era, its significance is defined by the transit of about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Its geopolitical importance has made it a focal point of regional tensions and international security concerns.

Qeshm

Qeshm is Iran’s largest island, located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Historically, it has been a significant trading and maritime hub for centuries, influenced by various powers including the Portuguese, who built forts there in the 16th century. Today, it is known for its unique natural attractions, such as the Hara mangrove forests and the Valley of Stars, as well as its distinct local culture and geopark.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a branch of Iran’s military, founded in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution to safeguard the country’s Islamic system and its achievements. It has since grown into a major military, political, and economic force, playing a significant role in both domestic security and Iran’s regional foreign policy.

Ports and Maritime Organisation

The Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) is the national authority of Iran responsible for the administration, development, and regulation of the country’s ports and maritime affairs. It was established after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, consolidating various pre-existing maritime entities to centralize control over Iran’s strategic coastal infrastructure along the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Its history is deeply tied to Iran’s economic ambitions and its role as a critical trade and logistics hub in the region.

US Navy

The United States Navy was established in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War and is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for naval warfare and power projection. It has grown into the world’s largest and most capable navy, playing a decisive role in securing American interests and maintaining global maritime security throughout history, from the War of 1812 to the modern era.

Defense Ministry

The Defense Ministry is a government department responsible for a nation’s armed forces and military policy. Historically, such ministries evolved from older offices like war departments, becoming central to modern state security and defense strategy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their headquarters are often significant administrative and sometimes architectural landmarks in capital cities.

Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry, often called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the government department responsible for a nation’s international relations and diplomacy. Its history is tied to the rise of the modern nation-state, with formal ministries emerging in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries to manage treaties, alliances, and consular services. Today, it serves as the primary channel for a country’s foreign policy, negotiations, and representation abroad.

Pakistani capital

The Pakistani capital is Islamabad, a purpose-built city that was established in the 1960s to replace Karachi as the capital. Its modern design and layout were planned by Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis, and it officially became the capital in 1967. The city is known for its organized sectors, green spaces, and important landmarks like the Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument.