President Donald Trump declared the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz resolved on Friday, calling it a “great victory” following Iran’s announcement that the vital waterway would reopen for commercial traffic.
In a phone interview with USA TODAY on April 17, Trump said, “It’s over, it’s a great victory,” shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed via social media that the strait was “completely open” in line with the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon.
The reopening restores a critical global oil route, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil typically transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump emphasized that while the strait is now accessible, the U.S. Maritime blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place for the time being.
Trump had previously announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 7, contingent on the strait’s reopening. However, Tehran had initially resisted allowing passage while Israel continued military operations in Lebanon, arguing that the fighting was supposed to end as part of the agreement.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on April 16, which Trump said helped facilitate progress toward de-escalation. He likewise noted that Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and may hand over its enriched uranium, describing the commitment as “very firm” and a sign of potential diplomatic progress.
The development marks a shift in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has seen escalating naval and economic pressure, including the U.S. Enforcement of a port blockade that Iran has condemned as “piracy.” Despite the strait’s reopening, regional tensions remain high, with officials warning that the situation remains fragile and subject to change.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz carries significant implications for global energy markets and international trade, particularly given its role as a chokepoint for oil shipments from the Middle East to global destinations.
