Shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump, along with several world leaders, reacted to the significant development taking place amid ongoing negotiations.
On Friday, Araghchi declared that the strategic waterway was completely open for commercial shipping in line with the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
Trump affirmed on social media that the strait was open, later claiming that Iran had agreed to “never close the Strait of Hormuz again”. However, he also posted that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports would “remain in full force".
Besides, France and the United Kingdom hosted a meeting in Paris, inviting 40 world leaders to play their role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The closure of the strategic oil transit route triggered a global fuel crisis, with prices surging more than 50 per cent since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran.
World leaders have welcomed Iran’s decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping but with cautious optimism amid mixed messages from the US and Iran.
The mixed signals first came from Donald Trump, who in his first post on Truth Social said, "The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage.”
But minutes later a separate post read that the US Navy’s blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.
Contrary to his claims, the Iranian Foreign Minister posted on X that the strait was “declared completely open” and would remain open for the remaining period of the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, which took effect overnight Thursday into Friday.
Here’s what world leaders said about the announcement: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautiously welcomed news of the strait’s reopening but said it must become “both lasting and a workable proposal”.
Speaking after the gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron said, “We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while welcoming the decision, said his country would support mine-clearance operations in the Hormuz to ensure smooth passage.
He said he wanted US involvement in the international mission to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “We believe such an arrangement would be desirable,” he said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the opening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and said it was “a step in the right direction”.
Also read: Strait of Hormuz now open, Iran announces
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