“Thank you!” reacted Donald Trump succinctly on Truth Social following that, on Friday, adding that while the Strait of Hormuz was indeed open, the blockade against Iran was still in effect.
“According to the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage of all commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz is declared fully open for the remaining duration of the ceasefire,” announced the Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on Friday, April 17th, on X. He did not specify whether he was referring to the truce between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which came into effect Thursday night in Lebanon for a period of ten days, or to the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which is set to expire on Wednesday, April 22nd.
“Thank you!”, Donald Trump soberly reacted on Truth Social. He then added that the Strait of Hormuz was “fully open and ready to welcome all traffic and allow for free passage”, specifying however that “the naval blockade will remain in place (…) with respect to Iran,” “until an agreement is reached”.
It is worth noting that “the circulation of military ships in the Hormuz Strait remains prohibited,” according to a senior military official speaking to the Iranian state media outlet Irib. Thus, “only non-military ships can navigate on designated routes and with the authorization of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” according to the same source, and “non-military ships must only take routes designated by the Organization of Iranian Ports and Maritime Navigation.”
Context: The article discusses statements made by Donald Trump and the Iranian Foreign Minister regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ships and the continued naval blockade against Iran.
Fact Check: The content accurately reflects the diplomatic discussions and restrictions in place concerning maritime activities in the region.
