Oil prices fall as Trump, Iran say Strait of Hormuz is ‘fully open’
The Strait of Hormuz is fully opened, Iranian officials and President Donald Trump said Friday, sending oil prices down.
Iran closed the strait near the beginning of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, leading to the halt of commercial shipping traffic, including oil shipments, which sent gas prices up significantly.
The Islamic Republic of Iran announced the reopening of the strait, crediting the ceasefire in Lebanon with Israel.
“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 already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” according to a statement from Iran.
Trump confirmed the reopening of the waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
After the announcement of the reopening Friday morning, crude oil dropped over 10%, to just over $81 a barrel. Oil had reached its highest on April 6 at $112 per barrel.
The announcement comes as the clock is ticking for the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, and as Trump maintains the two countries are close to a deal, underscoring that Iran must commit to not producing nuclear weapons.
The president indicated that talks in Pakistan may resume over the weekend after Vice President JD Vance failed to produce a deal last weekend. The White House has yet to announce a second round of talks; however, Trump has said he has been in direct contact with Iranian officials.
On Monday, Trump announced a total blockade of Iranian ports in an effort to squeeze the regime economically.
In a second Truth Social post Friday morning, the president confirmed the naval blockade on Iran remains in effect “until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.”
Trump added, “the process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated” in relation to reaching a final deal with the Islamic Republic.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
U.S. rep.: Mexico still not delivering water to South Texas, despite claims
Supporters say will storage option would streamline judicial process
Dallas Fed: Geopolitical conflicts creating uncertainty for U.S. oil and gas industry
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker pushes for E15
Lincoln-Way West Blanks Rival Lincoln-Way Central 10-0 in WJOL Tournament
Southside (AL) Outlasts Lincoln-Way West 6-4 Despite Howard’s Power Surge
Manhattan School District Adopts BoardBook Premier to Digitize Meetings and Enhance Public Transparency
Local Farmer Pitches Farmland Preservation Program to Combat Will County Industrialization
Trump addresses nation on Iran strikes; signals conflict nearing end
IL biometrics privacy reforms apply to past cases, too: Appeals court
Artemis II heads to the moon with first crewed mission since 1972
Pro-life org to Trump: Taxpayers should not be forced to fund killing of unborn children
Birthright citizenship advocates confident in SCOTUS hearing
College funding bill draws dissent from big Illinois universities
