[News] Hormuz Reopens as Trump Orders Halt to Lebanon Strikes, Oil Prices Fall

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
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Hormuz Reopens as Trump Orders Halt to Lebanon Strikes, Oil Prices Fall
April 17, 2026
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Ceasefire proposal could reopen Strait of Hormuz. (Photos: via Wikimedia.
Design: Palestine Chronicle)

*By Palestine Chronicle Staff
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff>*

Iran opens Hormuz during ceasefire as Trump maintains blockade, halts
Lebanon strikes, and global oil prices drop sharply.

*Key Developments*

   - Iran opens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping during ceasefire.
   - Trump welcomes move but maintains US blockade targeting Iran.
   - US declares Israel prohibited from continuing strikes on Lebanon.
   - Oil prices drop sharply following reopening of key shipping route.

*Iran Opens Strait amid Ceasefire*

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Friday that the Strait
of Hormuz will remain fully open to commercial vessels for the duration of
the ceasefire.

“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial
vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open,” Araqchi
said, noting that transit will follow coordinated routes set by Iranian
authorities.

The decision places the strategic waterway, central to global energy flows,
at the heart of ongoing de-escalation efforts.

*Trump Welcomes Move, Keeps Pressure*

US President Donald Trump welcomed the reopening but made clear that
Washington’s military posture toward Iran remains unchanged.

“THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL
PASSAGE,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account, before adding
that the naval blockade “WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT… AS IT
PERTAINS TO IRAN.”

He added that negotiations with Iran are largely complete and suggested a
rapid resolution could follow.

In a separate statement, Trump declared that Israeli strikes on Lebanon
would cease, stating that “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer.
They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough.”

*Oil Markets React Immediately*

Global energy markets responded sharply to the reopening of the Strait.

Brent crude dropped by more than 10 percent to $89.03 per barrel, while
West Texas Intermediate fell by over 11 percent to $84.17.

The decline reflects the central importance of the Strait of Hormuz,
through which a significant portion of global oil exports passes.

The reopening follows a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan after 40
days of war that began on February 28.

Despite more than 20 hours of talks in Islamabad, no agreement was reached,
with Tehran citing continued distrust toward Washington.

(PC, Tasnim, Al-Jazeera, Truth Social)
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