Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz from April 14, 2026.Image: Getty Images North America
April 17, 2026, 9:44 p.mApril 17, 2026, 9:44 p.m
After weeks of blockade due to the Iran war, the government in Tehran wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to the passage of oil tankers and merchant ships. Conversely, the USA wants to maintain its own naval blockade, which only applies to ships with a starting or destination port in Iran, as President Donald Trump emphasized. Meanwhile, at a conference in Paris, around 50 countries not involved in the conflict, led by France and Great Britain, called for a neutral naval mission in the strait near the Iranian coast, which is important for world trade.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that merchant ships could sail through the strait during the current ceasefire. However, the ships would have to stay on a route specified by the Islamic Republic.
The ceasefire in the Iran conflict has been in effect since April 8th and ends this Wednesday (April 22nd). A ten-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia has also been in effect in Lebanon since Friday and will not expire until next weekend.
Trump sticks to naval blockade
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for business and unrestricted passage, but that the US naval blockade against Iran remains in place – “until the full completion of our agreements with Iran.” This caused outrage in Tehran.
The Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, accused the Foreign Ministry of making such an important announcement as the opening of the Strait of Hormuz without consulting the National Security Council. This is an extremely inappropriate information policy and political misconduct that endangers national cohesion. “In particular, if the American naval blockade continues, the open passage in the Strait of Hormuz should be considered obsolete,” the editorial said. The Iranian presidential office warned the US not to torpedo the opening of the Strait of Hormuz through statements on social media.
Efforts are currently underway, mediated by Pakistan, to extend the ceasefire and bring about a comprehensive agreement in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. The news portal Axios quoted Trump after a telephone conversation as saying that there would be an agreement “in the next day or two.”
According to Trump, the Iranian sea mines allegedly distributed in the strait between Oman and Iran have all been recovered – or are currently being removed. “With the help of the USA, Iran has cleared all sea mines or is in the process of clearing them!” wrote Trump. Experts believe there are several dozen mines that Iran is said to have distributed south of Iranian waters about a month ago – even if Tehran has never confirmed such use.
Iran blocked the road after the military conflict began on February 28th. Araghchi left it open whether tankers and cargo ships would have to pay a toll to Iran for transit. It is also unclear how Iran’s announcement will affect shipping. Hundreds of tankers and cargo ships are stranded in the Persian Gulf.
Merz warns of stress with the USA
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of a strain on relations with the USA, which had attacked Iran together with Israel. “This war must not become a transatlantic stress test,” said the CDU leader in Paris.
Regarding the possible military deployment to secure the Strait of Hormuz, he added: “If what we have set out to do fails, then there is a risk of a major multidimensional global crisis.” Germany is ready to make a contribution to securing free shipping there – for example in mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance. The federal government would like US participation “if possible”. “From our point of view, it would be desirable,” he added. French President Emmanuel Macron, on the other hand, had previously spoken of a “neutral mission that clearly distinguishes itself from the warring parties”.
Paris conference wants free passage without tolls
At the Paris conference, the countries involved – in addition to the Europeans, India, China and Turkey – called for an immediate, unconditional and complete reopening of the strait by all parties. “We demand the restoration of the pre-war conditions for free passage and full respect for the law of the sea,” said Macron. “We reject any restrictions, any agreement that would de facto amount to an attempt to privatize the strait – and of course any toll system.”
France wants to organize a neutral naval operation with Great Britain, clearly demarcated from the warring parties, to accompany and secure merchant ships crossing the Gulf along the Iranian coast. A planning meeting will be held in London next week, which will be accompanied by close coordination with the Americans and Israel.
Dozens of countries want to participate militarily
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the operation should be “strictly peaceful and defensive” in order to support demining in the strait and enable merchant shipping again. According to Starmer, more than a dozen countries have already offered to contribute military resources to the mission. In addition to Merz, Macron also signaled that France’s navy, which is already extensively present in the region, could take part in a mission in the Strait of Hormuz. In addition to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, France also has frigates and aircraft in the region.
«Today’s message is a message of hope. “It is at the same time a message of preparation and a message of unity,” said Macron. The Europeans stand on the side of the countries of the Gulf region, Asia, the African continent, Latin America and the Pacific region. The world is “united in this common will, in this alliance of independent states, to enforce international law and protect freedom of navigation.”
According to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy is ready to provide its own naval units for operations to secure shipping in the strait off the Iranian coast. (sda/dpa)