Waffenstillstand verlängert: Trumps überraschende Wende gegenüber Iran – Neue Zürcher Zeitung
President Donald Trump announced on Friday, April 17, 2026, that the United States and Iran had reached a deal to allow free flow of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the critical waterway “completely open” for the remainder of a ceasefire period. This declaration came after ten days of stalled negotiations, during which Iran had initially backed away from an earlier agreement, demanding that Israel halt military operations in Lebanon first. Following an overnight agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the new arrangement on social media, stating that passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was declared completely open on a coordinated route as previously announced by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation. Financial markets reacted swiftly, with U.S. And global oil prices dropping approximately 9% in response to the news.
But, significant caveats accompanied the announcement. While both nations proclaimed the strait open, a U.S. Blockade of Iran’s ports remained in place, and Iran maintained its own conditions for navigation. President Trump emphasized that the U.S. Navy would continue to interdict vessels suspected of having paid tolls to Iran for safe passage, a practice analysts from Lloyd’s List Intelligence have documented as a de facto toll system operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Under this system, vessels must submit documentation, obtain clearance codes, and accept IRGC escort through a single controlled corridor. Despite the declared openness, hardliners in Iran had previously signaled intentions to impose long-term tolls on all ships transiting the waterway under any future peace deal—a proposal Trump has consistently opposed.
The situation remained volatile just hours after the joint declaration. On Saturday, April 18, 2026, Iran’s navy broadcast a message that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely closed again,” reversing its earlier position and blaming the U.S. Government for failing to uphold negotiation commitments. Shortly thereafter, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported that a tanker had been approached by IRGC gunboats, which fired upon the vessel—though the crew and ship were reported safe. Hours later, UKMTO confirmed a second incident in which a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to some containers. In response, President Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that Iran had “gotten a little cute” and attempted to reimpose strict control over the strait, but maintained that talks between the two nations were “working out very well,” suggesting he would have further information by day’s conclude.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for global energy supplies, normally facilitating the transit of approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Since the conflict began in late February 2026, commercial traffic through the waterway has been minimal, with both the U.S. And Iran employing naval forces to assert control. The U.S. Blockade, announced by Trump on Sunday, April 13, 2026, via Truth Social, instructed the Navy to begin blocking ships entering or exiting the strait and to interdict any vessel in international waters that had paid tolls to Iran. Trump also directed forces to seek and destroy mines laid by Iran in the strait, warning that any Iranian personnel firing at U.S. Or peaceful vessels would be “blown to hell.”
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation have centered on backchannel negotiations, with Pakistan serving as a key venue for talks. Face-to-face discussions led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, 2026, failed to produce an agreement, with Vance stating that Iran had “chosen not to accept our terms” and that direct talks were over. Nevertheless, the two sides had previously agreed to a two-week ceasefire five days prior to the Islamabad meeting. Despite the breakdown in formal negotiations, Trump continued to express optimism about ongoing communications, characterizing them as productive even amid conflicting actions on the ground.
Analysts warn that the instability in the Strait of Hormuz poses significant risks to global energy markets, particularly given the waterway’s role in transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iran itself. Any prolonged disruption could trigger supply shortages and price volatility worldwide. While the temporary opening announced on April 17 offered a brief respite, the rapid reversal less than 24 hours later underscores the fragility of the current arrangement and the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran. As of Monday, April 20, 2026, no further official updates on the status of the strait or ongoing negotiations have been released by either government.
Readers seeking real-time developments are encouraged to monitor official statements from the U.S. Department of State, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre for verified updates on naval activities and diplomatic engagements in the region.