Strait of Hormuz Reopened Amid Increased Shipping and Calls for Openness

Updated: 7:41 PM PKT — June 23, 2026

Following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, both the United States and the chief of an Iranian parliamentary committee have issued statements regarding the situation, according to reports on June 22. Former US President Donald Trump has also made a statement on the matter. Meanwhile, maritime traffic continues, with two large oil tankers reported to have entered the Gulf through the strait.

Updated: 6:23 PM PKT — June 23, 2026

Reports on June 22 confirm that maritime movement has resumed in the Strait of Hormuz following an announcement by Iran that a naval blockade of the crucial waterway has been lifted.

Updated: 5:40 PM PKT — June 23, 2026

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced that the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has been lifted. In a statement, he also confirmed that an agreement has been reached for the restoration of some frozen Iranian assets, with some having already been returned.

Araghchi added that concessions have been granted for Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports, and some sanctions on these sectors have been removed. He expressed hope that these diplomatic developments would help promote peace, stability, and economic cooperation throughout the Middle East. The minister also referred to the establishment of a de-confliction cell for Lebanon as the first major test of the recent agreements.

Updated: 2:40 PM PKT — June 22, 2026

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has once again declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, reversing a brief reopening agreed to last week. The move, a stated response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, has created fresh uncertainty and caused a sharp decline in vessel traffic, with the number of transiting ships dropping from 26 to five in a single day.

Despite the closure announcement, four Qatari liquefied natural gas tankers were observed entering the strait on Monday. Other vessels have reportedly completed “dark” voyages with their transponders switched off to navigate the waterway. In response to the volatility, major Gulf oil producers have begun offering customers the option of loading crude from terminals outside the strait.

Updated: 2:36 AM PKT — June 22, 2026

A US diplomat has described recent talks with Iran as positive, noting significant progress on ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open. The parties also emphasized the need for an effective ceasefire in Lebanon and discussed mechanisms to de-escalate tensions in the region.

An agreement was reached on a framework for future contacts between political leaders and technical teams. The first round of talks reportedly lasted 80 minutes, during which Iran also consulted with the Qatari delegation. Sources indicate that both the US and Iran offered Pakistan the opportunity to preside over the negotiations.