US President Donald Trump has declared that the Strait of Hormuz is “permanently open,” claiming the move benefits global trade and that China has agreed to halt weapons shipments to Iran. The remarks come as the US military says American warships have effectively blockaded Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, disrupting a vital global trade route.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says the blockade applies to vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports, while insisting that freedom of navigation to and from non-Iranian ports will remain unaffected. Tehran has warned it could target marine traffic in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the blockade continues. Iranian officials stress they do not seek war but will not bow to pressure or surrender.
Tracking data shows a small but increasing number of tankers moving through the strait, though overall traffic remains well below normal levels. Two Iranian vessels, including a supertanker, were reported to have transited the waterway on Wednesday. Tehran has announced plans to close the strait to “enemy ships” and is drafting rules that would require vessels from countries that imposed sanctions or supported US-Israeli attacks to pay a toll to pass.
Oil prices have edged higher as concerns over potential disruptions in Hormuz—which carries about 20% of global oil and LNG shipments—offset hopes of diplomatic progress. Brent crude traded near $95 per barrel on Wednesday, with traders maintaining a “residual premium” amid uneven recovery in flows. The International Monetary Fund has warned the conflict could weigh on global growth, while some US officials caution that higher oil prices risk pushing up inflation expectations.
Diplomatic efforts are gathering pace, with reports that negotiating teams from Washington and Tehran could return to Islamabad later this week for a possible second round of talks. A two-week ceasefire agreed last week has raised hopes for a broader settlement, but both sides have accused each other of making “unacceptable” demands. The US has not formally committed to extending the truce beyond its current expiry date.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned against further escalation, urging Washington to avoid “unprovoked aggression” that could destabilize the wider Middle East. Moscow has also signaled readiness to offset potential supply shocks, saying it can help meet energy needs if Iranian exports are squeezed.
While Trump has suggested the conflict could end soon, the situation remains tense, with both military and diplomatic moves shaping the outlook for one of the world’s most critical waterways.
