Trump says he 'feels good' after Strait of Hormuz 'fully open'

US President Donald Trump said he “feels good” about the Strait of Hormuz reopening, but that the US blockade will remain in place.

He was speaking to ITV News’ US Correspondent Dan Rivers on Friday, shortly after a joint statement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which said the crucial Strait “is fully open and ready for full passage”.

But the Strait is not open as it pertains to Iran, Trump said, adding: “We have to finish the deal before we open it for Iran”.

When asked where this leaves the US-UK relationship with Sir Keir Starmer, he responded: “Not good, not good at all”.

The US President told ITV News that it’s “too bad” he didn’t receive any help from Nato on the reopening of the Strait, calling the alliance a “paper tiger”.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday afternoon, Trump wrote: “The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete”.

Minutes earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on the social platform X that the passage for all commercial vessels through the strait “is declared completely open” in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon.

He said it would remain open for the remainder of the ceasefire.

Trump also commented on the ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, writing on Truth Social that the US would work with Lebanon and “deal with the Hezbollah situation in an appropriate manner.”

He also said: “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the USA Enough is enough!!!”

Crude oil prices immediately tumbled 10% as a result of the announcement.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally flows, was closed by Iran as a response to America and Israel’s strikes.

In retaliation, Trump had begun his own blockade of Iran’s oil ports, aimed at cutting off Tehran’s fossil fuel income.

The announcement was quickly welcomed by world leaders, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying it was “good news” but that there must be a “long-lasting and workable solution, without tolls or restrictions on routes.”

Trump’s decision to continue the blockade despite Iran’s announcement appeared aimed at sustaining pressure on Tehran as the fate of the two-week ceasefire reached last week remains uncertain.

Direct talks between the US and Iran last weekend were inconclusive, as the two nations differed over Iran’s nuclear program and other sticking points.

Oil prices tumbled after the announcement. / Credit: PA

The truce in Lebanon could clear one of the major obstacles remaining between the two sides.

But with Hezbollah not taking part in the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and Israeli forces still occupying the south of Lebanon, it remains unclear if the ceasefire will hold.

Israel’s hard-line Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned on Friday that Israel plans to respect the ceasefire even though attempts to completely disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon are “not yet complete.”

Katz said Israel would continue to hold all the places it is currently stationed, including a buffer zone extending 6 miles from the border with Israel into southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has said Lebanese people have “the right to resist” Israeli occupation of their land and that their actions “will be determined based on how developments unfold.”

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.