Trump Declares Strait Of Hormuz Open, Slams NATO As ‘Paper Tiger’ Amid Oil Price Drop
Iran announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” to commercial shipping, marking a major development in the ongoing cease-fire dynamics across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the reopening would apply during the remaining cease-fire period, though he did not clarify whether it referred to the Israel-Lebanon truce or the separate U.S.-Iran cease-fire set to expire Tuesday. He noted that vessels must still travel along routes coordinated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and military ships remain barred from passage.
President Donald Trump quickly celebrated the move, declaring the vital shipping lane would remain open permanently and no longer be used as leverage by Tehran. The strait, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, has been a central pressure point throughout the conflict.
Trump said the United States would maintain its naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels until a final peace agreement is reached. He argued the continued blockade preserves leverage in negotiations while still allowing global commerce to resume through the waterway.
He also announced that U.S. and Iranian efforts were underway to remove sea mines placed in the strait during the conflict, a step seen as critical to restoring normal shipping operations. Once cleared, the need for restricted navigation routes could be eliminated.
Global energy markets reacted immediately. Oil prices dropped sharply following the announcement, with both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate seeing double-digit percentage declines as fears of prolonged disruption eased.
Questions remain over whether Iran will continue charging tolls for safe passage, a practice that had raised tensions during the conflict. Analysts suggested the reopening may still involve financial or logistical conditions imposed by Tehran.
In a separate statement, Trump said Iran had agreed to hand over its remaining enriched uranium, referring to it as “nuclear dust” following U.S. airstrikes involving B-2 bombers. He emphasized that no financial compensation would be exchanged as part of the arrangement.
Trump also took aim at NATO, calling the alliance a “Paper Tiger” and dismissing its relevance after claiming they offered assistance only after the situation had stabilized. He said the U.S. did not require NATO involvement and criticized allies for failing to act earlier in the conflict.
The developments come as mediators, including officials from Pakistan, attempt to organize a second round of peace talks before the current cease-fire deadline. No formal agreement has yet been reached to extend the truce, leaving uncertainty over whether the broader conflict could resume.