CNBC: Iran announces Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, but Trump says U.S. blockade continues

Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi announced that during the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels.

Trump expressed gratitude to Iran but simultaneously stated that the U.S. maritime blockade against Iranian ports will continue.

The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, claimed the strait is only partially open, and if the U.S. continues its blockade, Iran will close it again.

On April 17, Iran declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be open for commercial shipping during the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, but confusion quickly emerged regarding whether the passage was truly unconditional.

In a social media post, Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi said, “Under the Lebanon ceasefire mechanism, the route through the Strait of Hormuz for all commercial vessels is fully open for the remainder of the ceasefire period.”

However, he added that ships must travel along “coordinated routes” designated by Iranian maritime authorities. It remains unclear whether Iran will require ships to pay tolls.

Later on April 17, Trump thanked Iran for opening the strait on social media, but emphasized that the U.S. maritime blockade on Iranian ports will persist until a final agreement is reached with Tehran.

He later stated in a speech, “Iran has just announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, allowing free passage for ships, while our blockade remains fully effective. This will be a great and glorious day for the entire world.”

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagheri Kalbaf quickly rebutted Trump’s claim that Iran had granted “unconditional access”:

“As long as the blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open.”

Video footage from shipping tracking company Kpler shows multiple oil tankers and cargo ships attempting to enter the waters on April 17, only to turn around and head back. Kpler’s Head of Commodities Research, Matt Smith, said, “They clearly did not receive permission to pass.”

Original: toutiao.com/article/1862769413912588/

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