Iran latest: Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' says Iran foreign minister
A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon on Thursday could pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of attacks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a White House meeting between Israel and Lebanon could take place within two weeks.
The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ - MAY 2017: Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime choke point with Iran situated at the top with Qeshm Island and the United Arab Emirates to the South. Imaged 24 May 2017. (Photo by Gallo Images / Copernicus
Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling The Associated Press that the United States and Iran had an "in-principle agreement" to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.
Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.
Here is the latest for Friday:
Trump posting multiple updates on social media
10:42 a.m. ET: President Trump posted multiple messages on Truth Social Friday morning, thanking allies and the latest updates on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump initially touched on the relationship with Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah, stating Israel is "PROHIBITED" from bombing Lebanon and the U.S. will "deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner," later adding we will "MAKE LEBANON GREAT AGAIN!"
Further messages were thank you messages to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, while telling NATO to stay away.
Other post had him updating efforts from the U.S. assisting Iran in removing sea mines in the area, and proclaiming today as a "GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD."
Crude oil drops, Wall Street rallies
10:29 a.m. ET: With the morning news from both Iran and President Trump that the Strait of Hormuz is open, markets and fuel prices are responding.
Crude oil has fallen by more than 10% and Wall Street is rallying toward a record day.
The S&P 500 went up 0.7% and both the NASDAQ and Dow Jones rose 1%.
Trump says blockade will remain
9:33 a.m. ET: President Trump says the blockade no Iranian vessels at the Strait of Hormuz will remain in full effect.
Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’
8:55 a.m. ET: The Iranian Foreign Minister said the Strait of Hormuz is 'completely open' in a social media post.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the strait is declared completely open in line with the remaining period of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
President Trump praises Israel-Lebanon ceasefire a "historic day"
6:25 a.m. ET: Hours after the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, President Trump took to social media to call it a "historic day for Lebanon."
In a second message, he added he hoped Hezbollah would act "nicely and well" in the wake of the ceasefire between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.