Tehran, 18 April (H.S.):

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday, that the Strait of Hormuz stands completely open to all commercial vessels for the duration of the ongoing two-week U.S.-Iran truce, a pivotal concession synchronized with the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon.This declaration mandates adherence to coordinated routes delineated by Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation, facilitating the transit of roughly 20% of global oil and substantial LNG cargoes previously ensnared by Tehran's blockade since February 28.

Ceasefire-Linked Access and Operational Protocols

Araghchi's X post explicitly tied the reopening to Lebanon's truce, stipulating that civilian shipping must secure permissions from the Revolutionary Guards Navy while barring military vessels outright, thereby preserving Iran's tactical leverage.

Three sanctioned Iranian oil tankers—the Deep Sea, Sonia I, and Diona marked the inaugural post-blockade exodus on Wednesday, laden with five million barrels from Kharg Island, as tracked by Kpler, signaling nascent commercial revival.

London insurers, led by Beazley via Lloyd's, swiftly unveiled a $1 billion war-risk consortium to underwrite transits, mitigating premiums inflated by conflict uncertainties.

Global Reprieve and Enduring Tensions

The overture precipitated a vertiginous oil plunge—Brent crude cascading over 10% to approximately $90 per barrel—propelling Wall Street to records and alleviating recession specters, though U.S. President Donald Trump insisted his port blockade endures in full force pending a comprehensive nuclear pact.

France and Britain's multinational mission, encompassing mine clearance pledges from Belgium and the Netherlands, awaits deployment as conditions allow, underscoring international stakes in Hormuz's sustained viability.

Yet, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's Saturday retort—that closure looms sans blockade lift—tempers optimism, with Iran's Guards enforcing stringent oversight.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar