April 17, 2026
The United States will maintain its naval blockade on Iranian ports even after Iran reopened the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
In separate posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the waterway is now “fully open for business and shipping.” However, he emphasized that the blockade on Iran would remain in place until all agreements between Washington and Tehran are completely finalized.
“We will keep the naval blockade in full force until our negotiations and deals with Iran are 100 percent complete,” Trump stated, expressing optimism that a final agreement could be reached soon. He added that most key issues have already been settled through ongoing discussions.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran had reopened the Strait of Hormuz in respect of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. During this period, commercial vessels are allowed to pass safely through the crucial maritime route.
The ceasefire in Lebanon was reportedly a key condition in the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. Trump had announced the temporary truce a day earlier as part of broader diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region.
While the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has brought relief to global markets—particularly in stabilizing oil prices—the continued US blockade on Iranian ports signals that a comprehensive agreement between the দুই countries is still pending.
