Iran has conditionally reopened the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to close it if the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues.
Published April 18, 2026
Iranian officials have pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s claims about the status of negotiations, highlighting serious inconsistencies in messaging amid continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite this, President Trump said there was no “impasse” left in the deal and insisted the blockade would continue until the deal was “100 percent complete.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that in line with the Lebanese ceasefire and previously arranged maritime routes, the Strait of Hormuz remains fully open to commercial shipping, conditionally. The Iranian government has threatened to close the strait if the US continues to block Iranian ports.
Here’s what we know:
in iran
Enriched uranium dispute: Iran’s Foreign Ministry says its enriched uranium stockpile will not be transferred “anywhere,” denying President Trump’s claim that Iran has agreed to the extradition. Hormuz toll plan: Security Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said Iran will not impose “traditional” transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, but is drafting a bill to charge shipowners to “ensure the security of the strait.” He said vessel passage would only take place with prior coordination with Iranian authorities, and enemy military vessels, particularly from the United States and Israel, would be completely prohibited.
war diplomacy
‘Agreement’ between Lebanon and Israel: President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon was approaching a ‘new stage’ of a permanent post-ceasefire agreement and was no longer ‘an arena of someone else’s war’. France, UK mission to Hormuz: France and the UK will lead a multilateral effort to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as conditions permit,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Hinting at China visit: President Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping supported the reopening of Hormuz and hinted at a “potentially historic” visit to China. Houthis rally in Yemen for Lebanon: Supporters in Sanaa show solidarity with Lebanon. The Iranian-aligned and armed Houthis, who control northern Yemen, have threatened to join the war if necessary.
on the bay
Fragile recovery: Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan welcomed Iran’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but said the situation remained fragile. Some countries can resume production immediately, while others may take longer depending on the extent of the damage.
in the US
US Extends Russian Oil Exemption: The Treasury Department has extended the exemption that allows countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil at sea until May 16th. The purpose is to stabilize world supplies during the turmoil caused by war. Implementation of Iranian port blockade: The US naval blockade continues, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing that 21 ships have complied with orders to turn back from Iranian ports. President Trump hints at pressure on Iran negotiations: The US president said negotiations were “going very well” but warned that the ceasefire might not be extended without a deal. He also claimed that Iran could hand over enriched uranium, a claim Iran denies. President Trump rejects NATO’s role: The US president has rejected an offer from NATO to assist in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and telling them to “stay away.”
in israel
Israel ‘banned’ from attacking Lebanon: President Trump said Israel was prohibited by the US from continuing its attack on Lebanon and declared “enough is enough.” Prime Minister Netanyahu says campaign is not over: Israel’s prime minister has warned that the campaign against Hezbollah is not over yet. “We are not done yet,” he said, adding that a key objective was “the dismantling of Hezbollah.”
in lebanon
One person killed despite ceasefire: Lebanese state media reported that one person was killed in an Israeli motorcycle attack in the south, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire. Nearly 2,300 killed in Israel, Lebanon: On the first day of the Israel-Hezbollah war ceasefire, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that nearly 2,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2. Lebanon war ‘last anti-colonial war’: Analyst Rami Khouli said the conflict reflects resistance by Iran-aligned groups against decades of Western influence centered in southern Lebanon. He argues that Israel’s push for a “security zone” could be thwarted by Hezbollah and Iran, potentially shifting the conflict from military escalation to negotiations.
world economy
Oil prices fall, stocks soar: Wall Street broke records Friday after Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices falling to $90.38 for Brent crude from a peak of nearly $120 a barrel. Boeing’s war boost: The war has so far boosted Boeing’s defense business, with no impact on deliveries to airline customers facing rising jet fuel prices, the company’s CEO said.
