Status of Strait of Hormuz unclear in ceasefire deal

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Just after the announcement of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal, conflicting reports emerged about whether Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil shipments.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the ceasefire deal is dependent on Iran agreeing to reopen the strait, but Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Iran closed the waterway in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The Associated Press also reported that analysts saw no change in traffic throughout the day.

The Trump administration offered mixed messaging about the closure on Wednesday.

“We have seen an uptick of traffic in the strait today,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “And I will reiterate the president’s expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately, quickly and safely. That is his expectation. And it has been relayed to him privately, that that is what is taking place in these reports publicly are false.”

Just a few hours later, Vice President JD Vance said, before boarding a plane in Budapest, that the administration has seen an increase in marine traffic in the waterway.

“We have already seen an increase in traffic today. Hopefully we will see an increase in traffic tomorrow. We actually think that we are seeing signs that the strait is starting to reopen,” Vance said.

Vice President Vance also warned that the deal hinges on Iran following through.

“The president has been very clear. The deal is a ceasefire, a negotiation. That is what we give. And what they give us in straits are going to be reopened. If we do not see that happening, the president is not going to abide by our terms if the Iranians are not abiding by their terms,” Vance said.

Despite the uncertainty, the ceasefire announcement did have a positive effect on oil prices, which dropped, and stocks surged.