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Iran live updates: Iran fully opens Strait of Hormuz, Trump says

All commercial vessels will be allowed to pass through the strait.

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Last updated: Friday, April 17, 2026 5:54PM GMT
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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites.

After negotiations, U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to reach a peace deal. Trump said that Iran's nuclear program was the key sticking point, and said the U.S. would respond with a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.

Iran announced it would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, but Trump said the blockade will remain in place until the U.S.'s "transaction" with Iran is complete.

Israel, meanwhile, has reached a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, ending its ground operations and intense strikes, where it was engaged with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported the ceasefire with Iran.

ByEmily Chang and Michelle Stoddart ABCNews logo
1 hour and 50 minutes ago

Trump says Iran has agreed to 'never' close Strait again

President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has agreed to "never" close the Strait of Hormuz again in a social media post.

President Donald Trump gestures after a roundtable event about no tax on tips, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas.
President Donald Trump gestures after a roundtable event about no tax on tips, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas.

"Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!" Trump wrote.

In a separate post, the president also reiterated that "the deal is not tied, in any way, to Lebanon."

The president is continuing to celebrate the developments on Friday between the U.S. and Iran, declaring that it is a "GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!" Trump also expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for its role in mediating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, calling the Pakistani Prime Minister and Field Marshall "two fantastic people."

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3 hours and 53 minutes ago

Trump says Israel 'PROHIBITED' from bombing Lebanon

President Donald Trump said that the U.S. has "PROHIBITED" Israel from bombing Lebanon. This comes just one day after he announced a ceasefire had been reached between Israel and Lebanon.

"Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!" Trump said in a post on social media.

Trump added that the U.S. will work with Lebanon and "deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner."

The president also talked about one of his main aims to end the war with Iran, saying that the U.S. "will get all Nuclear 'Dust,'" from Iran, but added that "No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form."

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2:07 PM GMT

Trump says blockade will remain in effect

Despite Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. blockade on Iran will remain in effect.

The blockade will remain "UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE. THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED," Trump wrote in a post on social media.

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1:52 PM GMT

Iran fully opens Strait of Hormuz, Trump says

President Donald Trump has announced that Iran is fully opening the Strait of Hormuz, in a post on social media.

"IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE," Trump said in a post on social media Friday.

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also announced the strait's opening on social media Friday.

"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," Araghchi wrote.