Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz but Trump maintains the blockade on Iranian ships

WashingtonIran announces it is reopening the Strait of Hormuz in response to the 10-day ceasefire that the United States has mediated between Israel and Lebanon. The Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said this Friday on X that they are unblocking the passage during "the remaining period of the ceasefire" in Lebanon, until the end of April. This deadline goes beyond when the truce between the US and Iran supposedly ends. However, traffic will remain conditional on the toll imposed by Tehran, as ships must follow "the coordinated route as had already been announced by the Organization of Ports and Maritime of the Islamic Republic".

US President Donald Trump celebrated the decision via Truth Social, but stated that he will maintain the blockade on Iranian ships. The Republican links lifting his blockade until an agreement is reached with the ayatollahs, which he insists will be soon "as most of the points are already negotiated". The ceasefire between the US and Iran expires next Tuesday, and there is still no fixed date for a new round of peace talks. Although Pakistan, the mediating country, has shown optimism. Diplomatic sources explained to Al Jazeera that a "major breakthrough" is expected regarding the nuclear issue. In fact, in a fourth post, Trump assured that the US "will keep all the nuclear dust created by the B2s", referring to the attacks last June on Fordow and other nuclear facilities.

However, in contrast to the bombardment of statements by the Americans, the Iranians remain silent on the progress of diplomatic efforts. Although the gesture of unblocking Hormuz can be understood as a further step to pave the way for a future new round.

In fact, the gesture makes more sense when viewed as another move within the framework of diplomatic efforts to bridge positions rather than as a real response to the situation in Lebanon. Tehran has decided to accept the 10-day truce, despite Israel continuing to bomb the south of the country. Trump, however, reiterated this Friday, "Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon" and "is prohibited from doing so by the U.S.". Likewise, the Republican assured that he will continue working with the Lebanese to address "the situation with Hezbollah." Iran's regional ally, and a principal actor in the new hostilities, has been sidelined from the talks that led to the current pause.

The Iranians had demanded, as a sign of goodwill, that the U.S. manage to curb Benjamin Netanyahu and halt hostilities against Beirut, as stipulated by the ceasefire that the White House and the Islamic Republic had agreed upon. Tel Aviv, which had initiated the war against Iran alongside Washington, had also adhered to this agreement, but claimed that Lebanon was a separate conflict. Netanyahu resumed attacks against the Lebanese and Hezbollah shortly after the offensive against the Iranians began on February 28th.

Although yesterday Netanyahu agreed to cease hostilities against the Lebanese, he also stated that he would not withdraw his troops from the south of the country. Less than half an hour after the ceasefire came into effect, Tel Aviv launched another wave of missiles. In total, since the supposed humanitarian pause began, 254 Lebanese have already died. This figure is added to the more than 2000 people who have already died under Israeli bombs since the end of February.

A hyperactive Trump has continued to react to the new turn of events in a succession of posts on Truth Social. He has once again attacked NATO and thanked the Gulf countries for their support. In an initial post on Truth Social, Trump had also celebrated the decision with a small slip of the tongue. Instead of referring to it as the Strait of Hormuz, he defined it as "the Strait of Iran."