Strait of Hormuz expected to reopen after US-Iran agreement
The Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen on Friday after nearly four months of disruption, following a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the Middle East war. The shipping lane is one of the world's most important energy routes, and its reopening is likely to be watched closely by oil markets, ship operators and insurers. The closure had left vessels stranded in Gulf waters and forced maritime traffic to slow or stop.
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The strait normally carries about 20% of global crude oil supply, according to the supporting material. About 500 ships and 20,000 seafarers were stranded during the shutdown, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. Maritime groups said crews had been maintaining machinery and carrying out drills while waiting for permission to move again.
Even with formal approval, a return to normal is expected to take time. Some ships may need underwater hull cleaning after months at anchor, while operators are expected to proceed cautiously. Maritime tracking specialists said insurers could require naval escorts, and that the first vessels to cross may be those operated by owners with their own fleets and those not listed on stock exchanges.
The reopening matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. Any prolonged disruption can affect shipping schedules, insurance costs and the movement of crude from Gulf producers to international markets. The situation also has wider security implications because the closure was linked to the conflict and to attacks involving the United States and Israel.
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The supporting material says Iran effectively closed the strait after it came under fire from the United States and Israel. It also says Iran has designated the central area of the strait as a mine danger zone. France and Britain have been working since March to assemble a coalition to remove mines and help restore shipping flows, while the United States has requested mine-clearing capabilities.
What remains unclear is how quickly full traffic can resume and how long restrictions may continue in the mine-affected area. It is also not yet clear how many ships will move first, or whether naval escorts will be needed for a wider reopening. The next developments to watch are formal approval, mine-clearing progress and the pace at which stranded vessels begin transiting again.
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