President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is "totally open" and oil shipments through the waterway have surged [1, 2].
The announcement comes as the U.S. seeks to stabilize global energy markets and signal progress in ongoing negotiations with Iran regarding a nuclear deal [3].
Speaking during a White House press briefing on June 16, 2026, Trump said that a deal with Iran is signed, although some key questions remain [3]. He said that the flow of oil has increased since the reopening of the strategic chokepoint [1, 2].
These assertions contrast with reports from Iranian officials, who said the Strait of Hormuz is closed again [4]. The conflicting accounts create a discrepancy between the U.S. administration's public stance and the claims made by Tehran.
U.S. military officials have supported the president's position. A military spokesperson said ships are moving through the Strait of Hormuz again [2].
The tension over the waterway's status remains a focal point of the diplomatic effort. While the White House maintains that the passage is clear, the contradictory statements from Iran suggest that the security environment in the region remains volatile, a factor that typically influences global oil pricing.
Trump said that the signing of the deal is a primary driver in the restoration of maritime traffic. He said the surge in shipments demonstrates a return to normalcy in the region [1, 3].
“"The Strait of Hormuz is totally open."”
The contradiction between U.S. and Iranian reports on the Strait of Hormuz highlights the fragile nature of the current diplomatic breakthrough. If the waterway is indeed open and a deal is signed, it could lead to a significant reduction in global oil price volatility. However, the lack of consensus on the physical status of the strait suggests that military and diplomatic tensions persist despite the reported agreement.
