US President Donald Trump declared on June 16 that “ships are starting to move” through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement came after both the US and Iran announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to end the US-Israel war with Iran.
Although the official text of the deal has not been released, both sides said the initial agreement will include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and halting hostilities on all fronts.
More complex issues — including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, its support for regional proxy forces, the release of Iranian assets, and the lifting of sanctions — are expected to be addressed during a 60-day negotiation phase.
“Ships are starting to move, many tankers loaded with oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on social media. “They are traveling along the Southern ‘Boulevard’, completely safe, secure, and pristine,” he added, referring to the shipping lane through the strait that crosses Omani territorial waters.
That route had been a concern due to naval mines. “There are other movement zones too !!!,” Trump said.
While international oil markets have rallied on the positive signals toward a deal, if the strait is fully reopened, it is expected to take months for operations to return to normal. On June 16, maritime security and shipping officials told Reuters that mine-clearing operations could last 40 to 50 days before insurers and shipping companies feel confident enough to allow vessels through the vital waterway. Some companies, however, have said they will begin shipping earlier.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said about 500 vessels are waiting to transit the strait, with around 20,000 crew members stranded.
Trump said he would discuss mine-clearance efforts at the G7 summit starting in France on June 16.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has documented 46 attacks by the US and Iran on international shipping routes throughout the conflict.
Official details of the plan to reopen the strait, as well as future management of the waterway, have yet to be released. The strait was open before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Experts warn the conflict has reinforced the importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a key lever for Iran, allowing it to close the route or impose fees.
On June 16, US Vice President JD Vance told CNBC he expects the strait “to remain toll-free in the long term.” He added the issue would be discussed in “technical negotiations.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on the same day that “tolls” would be collected. “Our goal is to open a safe passage on this waterway. We need a certain period to discuss this important issue with other parties,” he said.
