Iran Reopens Hormuz, US Keeps Blockade in Force to Pressure Nuclear Deal Amid Fragile Truce

Iran on Friday said it had fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that the American naval blockade targeting Iranian vessels and ports would remain in place until a broader agreement with Tehran is reached, including on its nuclear program, underscoring continued tensions despite signs of de-escalation.

Representational Image: AF Post

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on X that the strategic waterway — through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies transit — was “now fully open to commercial vessels,” signalling a partial stabilisation in maritime flows as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon appeared to hold.

Trump initially welcomed the reopening, stating the strait was “fully open and ready for full passage,” but within minutes clarified that U.S. policy would not change, declaring that the naval blockade would remain “in full force” and continue “UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.” 

He added that efforts were underway, with U.S. involvement, to remove naval mines from the waterway.

The blockade, imposed earlier in the week after Iran restricted traffic through Hormuz amid regional fighting, is designed to exert sustained economic and strategic pressure on Tehran. 

At the time, Trump had described it as an “all or none” measure aimed at forcing Iran to restore unrestricted maritime access and comply with U.S. demands.

The continuation of the blockade despite Iran’s reopening announcement reflects Washington’s effort to retain leverage in negotiations that have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. 

Direct talks held over the weekend ended without agreement, with both sides divided over Iran’s nuclear program and broader security conditions.

The developments come against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that has paused nearly seven weeks of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, though uncertainty remains over its durability. 

While the reopening of the strait may ease immediate pressure on global shipping and energy markets, the persistence of the U.S. blockade signals that the underlying geopolitical and economic confrontation remains unresolved.