US President Donald Trump has claimed that oil-carrying ships are beginning to move through the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing uncertainty among shippers and insurers about the safety of the waterway. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that ships were "starting to move" along a "totally safe" southern route, but many shipping companies still consider the passage too risky due to unconfirmed mine clearance.
The announcement follows a framework peace deal between the United States and Iran, which includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed electronically by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday in Geneva. The deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, within 60 days.
However, the agreement has not resolved all issues. Israel has ruled out withdrawing its troops from occupied areas in southern Lebanon, with Defence Minister Israel Katz stating that the IDF will remain "indefinitely" in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said diplomatic efforts with the US continue to seek full Israeli withdrawal.
Hezbollah welcomed the US-Iran deal, saying it resulted in a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon. The Tehran-backed group warned Israel against any violations of Lebanese sovereignty. Meanwhile, India has expressed fury over the US's refusal to apologise for the deaths of Indian sailors killed in strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, straining relations ahead of the G7 summit in France.
Global oil prices have tumbled on hopes of an end to the energy supply crisis, with Brent crude dropping below $84 a barrel. Questions remain over the details of the deal, including the future of Iran's nuclear programme and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
