Iran Declares Hormuz As 'Completely Open', Sets News Conditions On Ships

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 02:35 IST

Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open during ceasefire but IRGC imposes strict rules, bans military ships, US hails move yet keeps naval blockade, shipping outlook remains uncertain.

 Even as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open" during the ongoing ceasefire, the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has issued a set of strict conditions for vessels, creating confusion over the extent of the reopening.

In a statement on X, the IRGC Navy said all ships seeking passage must obtain prior permission, and civilian vessels would be allowed to transit only through designated Iranian routes. It added that military vessels remain prohibited from passing through the strait.

The force described the rules as a “new order", saying they were aligned with the terms of the ceasefire.

Mixed signals from Tehran

The conditions appear to contradict the earlier announcement by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the strait would be “completely open" for commercial vessels during the ceasefire.

“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open," Araghchi said, adding that ships must follow routes set by Iran’s maritime authorities.

However, he did not specify the additional requirements now outlined by the IRGC Navy.

State media raises concerns

Iranian state-linked media also expressed reservations about the foreign minister’s announcement.

Tasnim News Agency described the statement as “flawed and incomplete", warning it created ambiguity over the reopening of the key waterway.

Another outlet, Mehr News Agency, said the strait remains a critical strategic lever and suggested it should continue to be tightly controlled.

US response and ongoing blockade

US President Donald Trump welcomed Iran’s announcement, saying the strait was “fully open and ready for full passage".

However, he clarified that a US naval blockade targeting Iran would remain in place until a broader agreement is reached.

Trump also claimed that Iran had agreed to never again use the strait as leverage, though there has been no official confirmation from Tehran on such a commitment.

Uncertainty persists

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil flows, has been at the centre of the recent conflict.

While the reopening signals a step toward de-escalation, the imposition of conditions and mixed messaging from Iranian authorities suggest that shipping through the strait may remain tightly controlled and uncertain in the near term.

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