The Strait of Hormuz has reopened to oil tankers in June 2026 after approximately 100 days of closure [3].
The reopening of the waterway is critical because the Strait of Hormuz carried about 20% of the world’s crude oil before the war [1]. As a narrow passage between Oman and Iran, it serves as the primary artery linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
Officials said the resumption of traffic follows a tentative agreement to end hostilities. This move is linked to a broader U.S.-Iran deal signed in Geneva involving regional actors, including the United Arab Emirates.
Donald Trump said, "Let the oil flow."
While the waterway is open, the transition back to full capacity is expected to be gradual. Approximately 80% of energy flows are projected to resume by the end of the third quarter of 2026 [2]. However, the process of restoring these flows may be difficult. June Goh, a senior oil-market analyst, said the logistics for reopening the Strait of Hormuz will be "messy."
Questions remain regarding the volume of oil moved during the blockade. President Trump said a secret mission moved 100 million barrels of oil through the blocked Strait [4]. Independent reports from Wired and CBC News noted that this figure is impossible to verify, and no independent confirmation of such a shipment has been provided.
Market analysts are divided on how this will affect global costs. Some analysts suggest the resumption of flows could help bring oil prices down, while others warn that energy prices will likely rise significantly even as the Strait reopens.
“The Strait of Hormuz has reopened after roughly 100 days of closure.”
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz removes a primary geopolitical bottleneck for the global energy supply. While the physical transit of tankers has resumed, the disparity in analyst predictions suggests that market volatility will persist until the 80% flow target is met. The lack of verification regarding the 100 million barrels claimed by the U.S. administration further complicates the effort to accurately calculate current global oil reserves and price floors.
