UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the resumption of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, urging full freedom for shipping through the crucial waterway.
“The secretary-general considers this a step in the right direction. The United Nations’ position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties,” Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
“The United Nations’ position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties,” a UN statement said.
I welcome Iran’s announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire.
This a step in the right direction.
The @UN position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights &…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 17, 2026
“The Secretary-General remains fully supportive of the diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East.
“He also hopes that, together with the ceasefire, this measure will contribute to creating confidence between the parties and strengthen the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan,” it added.
The leaders of France and the United Kingdom on Friday welcomed the announcement but stressed that freedom of navigation must be fully and permanently restored along the vital oil route disrupted by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they would continue planning an international mission aimed at restoring maritime security. Starmer noted that the mission would be deployed “as soon as conditions allow,” adding that military planners are set to meet in London next week.
US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran’s decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi formally confirmed the move as part of an ongoing ceasefire arrangement.
Taking to his Truth Social account, Trump wrote in a brief post: “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!” He later elaborated that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open and ready for business and full passage,” reinforcing his earlier remarks.
The remark came after Tehran declared that commercial shipping would be allowed through the strategic waterway during the remaining period of the ceasefire.
Iran’s top diplomat had earlier stated that the decision was aligned with the ceasefire framework linked to regional developments, particularly in Lebanon.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was now “completely open” for the duration of the ceasefire, with ships required to follow routes coordinated by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation.
