Iran declares “fully open” Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire period, US military will continue to blockade “as long as necessary” – CNN.co.jp

（CNN） Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi announced on the 17th that the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the start of the war that has disrupted global oil markets, will be open for the remainder of the ceasefire.

Araghchi announced the opening of the strait on social media, linking it to the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. The ceasefire was announced by US President Trump on the 15th and took effect in the early hours of the 17th.

“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, all commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open to traffic for the remainder of the ceasefire, on the adjusted routes already announced by the Ports and Maritime Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi’s post on X (formerly Twitter) said. The ceasefire between the US and Iran will last until the 21st.

Trump mentioned this announcement on the SNS Truth Social and reiterated that the Strait had been completely opened. “Thank you!” he added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command Commander Cooper told reporters that the U.S. military has the ability to maintain a blockade of ships entering and exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz “for as long as necessary,” and that the blockade “will last as long as the president orders it to continue.”

“The U.S. military is keeping an eye on all ports in Iran,” Cooper said. “We can maintain this for as long as necessary,” he said, adding that such measures include aerial surveillance using MQ9 drones and P8 patrol aircraft.

Trump said on social media on the 17th that Iran had agreed to reopen the strait, but added, “As far as Iran is concerned, the naval blockade will remain in full force until our deal with Iran is 100% completed.”