Iran is now warning it will shut the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping again if the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to the CNN news outlet.
Iran had announced earlier today that the Strait will remain open to commercial shipping for the duration of a U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, even as tensions over regional security and maritime access persist.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X that the waterway would remain open “for all commercial vessels” throughout the truce agreed on Thursday, April 16, between Israel and Lebanon.
Reuters reported on April 17 that a senior Iranian official said transit would be limited to safe, designated lanes and would not include naval vessels. It added that U.S. President Donald Trump also indicated on April 16 that U.S.-Iran talks could take place as early as this weekend, though officials later said logistical issues were complicating preparations for discussions expected in Islamabad.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy trade. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the waterway, along with major volumes of liquefied natural gas. Tensions involving Iran have increased the risk of disruption, affecting tanker movements and raising shipping costs
According to Reuters, major shipping companies will remain cautious, saying it may take time for traffic to return to normal levels despite the announcement.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have added pressure to global supply chains, affecting smaller import-dependent markets such as Guyana. Several gas stations in Georgetown briefly closed or rationed fuel in recent days, with President Irfaan Ali linking the shortage to external supply disruptions affecting imports.
Guyana depends on imported refined fuels, including gasoline and diesel, meaning delays or constraints in international shipments can quickly impact domestic availability.
Freight cost warnings mount for Guyana as Strait of Hormuz risks persist | OilNOW
The US–Iran conflict has also contributed to higher energy prices in countries around the globe, including Brazil, as supply risks and elevated crude benchmarks feed through into refined fuel costs.
On April 1, Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras said it applied an 18% increase to aviation kerosene (QAV) prices while deferring the remainder of the contracted adjustment through installments, as global energy prices rise amid Middle East tensions.
Petrobras said the measure “aims to preserve the demand for the product and mitigate the effects of the readjustment in the Brazilian aviation sector, ensuring the proper functioning of the market.”
Meanwhile, before Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait, Europe said it had about six weeks of jet fuel remaining if the route remained disrupted.
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said in an interview with Fox News on April 16 that flight disruptions could follow if supply tightens further.
