Iran opens Hormuz as Lebanon ceasefire begins
The reopening of a vital shipping route and a new truce eased fears, but uncertainty remains high.
Iran said on Friday that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was open again, offering a major sign of de-escalation after weeks of conflict and disruption in the region. The strait is a strategic chokepoint for global energy trade, so even temporary restrictions there can push oil and gas prices sharply higher.
The announcement coincided with the start of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Governments presented the truce as an opportunity to stop immediate fighting and create space for broader diplomatic discussions, though officials on all sides indicated that the arrangement could still unravel.
Markets responded with clear relief. Oil and gas prices fell, while stock indexes in Europe and the United States rose on expectations that the immediate threat to commercial shipping and regional energy supply had weakened. The response showed how closely global investors are watching every development around Hormuz and the wider Middle East.
Still, the optimism was limited. International maritime authorities said they were checking the practical conditions for safe navigation, and political leaders continued to send mixed signals about military pressure and future negotiations. For now, the reopening of the strait and the ceasefire have reduced immediate fears, but they have not removed the risk of renewed instability.