Kamal Ghorui
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is “fully open and ready for full passage” as Iran announced allowing commercial vessels to transit during a temporary ceasefire.On a post on Truth Social on Friday, Donald Trump wrote, “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier said that the decision is linked to the ceasefire in Lebanon and will apply for the remaining period of the truce under a coordinated route.“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route” announced previously by Iran’s port and maritime authorities, Araghchi said in a social media post.Iran had earlier said only ships with explicit clearance from Iranian authorities and not linked to the US or Israel could pass through a route near Larak Island to avoid the risk of sea mines in the waterway.The Lebanon-Israel ceasefire is expected to last 10 days, while a separate two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Tuesday. Araghchi appeared to link the shipping decision to the halt in fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
