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DW Analysis/ Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships, Merz after the Paris summit: Good news, there should be no restrictions
2026-04-18 08:25:06 / BOTA
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf has been lifted, according to official Iranian statements.
The sea route has been opened to international commercial traffic, as long as the ceasefire is respected, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on the X digital platform on Friday.
Since last Wednesday, the US and Israel, on the one hand, and Iran, on the other, have not launched attacks. This ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan for a two-week period, to allow time for negotiations to end the war between Iran and Israel and to reach a peace agreement. On Thursday evening, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect. It is expected to last ten days.
Transit on a specific route
All commercial ships are passing through a coordinated route, which has already been announced by the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization, Araghtchi explained. Hundreds of oil tankers and cargo ships have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for weeks.
According to a senior Iranian military official, warships are not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump confirms opening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump confirmed on his online platform Truth Social that the sea route is open again. However, the US military blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place for the time being, he said.
This will continue until negotiations with Iran are 100% complete. The US president added that the process should move forward very quickly, as most of the points have already been negotiated. The US Navy, for its part, had begun a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
Later, Trump added that Iranian leaders had promised that the strait would not be closed again.
Oil prices fell sharply after the announcement that commercial ships would be allowed to pass freely. A barrel (159 liters) of Brent North Sea crude for delivery in June now costs 91.11 US dollars, more than eight percent less than Thursday. At one point, the price fell below 90 dollars.
Chancellor Merz speaks of good news
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the Iranian leadership to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a news conference in the French capital, Paris, Merz described it as “good news” that Iran had opened the Strait, provided that certain conditions were met. Passage must be possible “in full compliance with international maritime law.” There should be “no restrictions.”
Following the start of the US-Israeli attacks on February 28, Iran's Revolutionary Guards blocked vital trade routes from the Persian Gulf's oil-producing areas through the Strait of Hormuz. About a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports are transported through this waterway. The blockade has sent energy prices soaring in recent weeks.
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