17/04/2026
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17/04/2026
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US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 6, in Washington. (AP)
WASHINGTON, Apr 17: Donald Trump said the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports will remain “in full force” until negotiations with Tehran are fully completed, even as Iran announced the reopening of a key global shipping route.
In a social media post, Trump said the blockade would continue “until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” adding that the process should move quickly as most points have already been negotiated.
Earlier, both Washington and Tehran indicated that the Strait of Hormuz — a vital corridor for global oil shipments — has been reopened to commercial vessels.
Abbas Araghchi confirmed that passage through the strait is “completely open” during the ongoing ceasefire period linked to Lebanon, while Trump also noted that Iran had declared the route ready for full transit.
However, it remains unclear how the continued U.S. blockade aligns with the reopening of the strait, highlighting lingering uncertainties despite signs of de-escalation in the region.