STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was completely open to commercial vessels for the remaining period of a 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire that took effect overnight Thursday into Friday. Araghchi made the declaration in a post on X, linking the reopening to the duration of the truce.

A senior military official told Iranian state media that only nonmilitary vessels would be allowed to transit the strait with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. About 20 percent of the world's crude flows through the strait on a typical day, and oil prices plunged after the announcement. The blocking of tankers from using the strait has led to a global surge in fuel prices.

France and the United Kingdom hosted a meeting in Paris involving about 40 countries, where participants agreed to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the strait once the US-Israeli war on Iran stops. The summit was cohosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with 30 to 40 countries participating in person or by video conference. Starmer said the United Kingdom and France would lead a strictly peaceful and defensive multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow.

"We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties," Macron said. "We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to privatise the strait – and, of course, any toll system."

Macron's office said roles for members of the international coalition could include intelligence, mine-clearing capabilities, military escorts and communication procedures with coastal states. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany could contribute mine clearance and intelligence capabilities but would need parliamentary support and a secure legal basis such as a UN Security Council resolution. He also said he wanted United States involvement in the mission.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the opening of the strait and said it was a step in the right direction.

The Norwegian Shipowners' Association said several issues had to be clarified before any ships can transit the strait, including the presence of mines, Iranian conditions and practical implementation. Knut Arild Hareide said, "If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development." A spokesperson for Germany's Hapag-Lloyd Shipping Company said the company was beginning to assess the new situation and the risks involved and was refraining from passing through the strait for the time being. Maersk said in a statement, "We have noted the announcement. The safety of our crew, vessels and customers' cargo remains our priority."