According to the Iranian state television, the first merchant ship has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the two-week ceasefire announced by Washington and Tehran. It is noted that the ship was given permission by Iranian authorities to safely pass through the strait.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed at a press conference that the strait is open to ship traffic. According to him, the Iranian military has ensured the safe passage of merchant ships, both sides are monitoring, but trade traffic will continue.
Hegseth noted that the US military is in the Middle East to monitor Iran's compliance with the agreement. Meanwhile, Reuters sources reported that Iran still partially closed the Strait of Hormuz, which poses a threat to some ships. Iranian officials have threatened ships that try to pass through without permission.
Later, Iran's Fars news agency reported that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had been temporarily suspended in the wake of Israeli strikes on Lebanon. According to Reuters, senior Iranian officials said during talks between American and Iranian officials in Pakistan that the strait would be opened in a limited and controlled manner on April 9 or 10. Shipping companies have demanded security guarantees.
Before the US and Israel clashed with Iran in late February, one-fifth of the world's oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. When hostilities began, Iran blocked the strait. On the night of April 8, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Donald Trump has said Washington will stop bombing Iran if it opens the Strait of Hormuz soon.
Israel has supported the peace process, but the ceasefire agreement on the new front in Lebanon has not been fully implemented. On April 8, Israel announced that it had dealt Lebanon its "biggest blow" since the Middle East war.
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