Iran Allows Humanitarian Ships Through Hormuz Strait: What Does This Mean for Global Trade?

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[Herald Economy=Reporter Lee Won-yul] Tasnim News Agency reported on April 4 (local time) that Iran is allowing ships carrying essential goods bound for its ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Tasnim said it obtained documents directing vessels, including those currently in the Gulf of Oman, to coordinate with Iranian authorities and comply with Iran’s Strait of Hormuz transit protocol when proceeding to Iranian ports.

A letter dated April 1 said, “Following the agreement and announcement by Iran’s strong government and victorious armed forces, we will allow ships carrying humanitarian supplies—particularly staples and animal feed—to transit the Strait of Hormuz.”

Fighting has continued for more than a month since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran in late February.

In response, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit chokepoint.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social the day before, “If we’re given a little more time, we can easily open the Strait of Hormuz and take the oil and make a lot of money.”

Trump offered no details on how he would restore normal transit through the Iran-blockaded strait or what he meant by “take the oil.”

Some analysts say the post was likely intended to send markets an optimistic signal that reopening the Strait of Hormuz could be imminent.