UN welcomes reopening of Strait of Hormuz in Middle East ceasefire

The United Nations has welcomed Iran’s decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, describing it as a positive development in the context of ongoing ceasefire efforts in the Middle East.

UN Secretary General António Guterres, through his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, said the initiative could help reduce tensions and restore stability in the region.

The UN reiterated its position on the importance of maintaining full navigation rights and freedom of passage through the strategic waterway, which is vital to global trade and energy supplies.

Guterres expressed support for ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict, stressing that reopening the strait could build trust between the parties involved.

He also acknowledged the Pakistan-led mediation efforts, which contributed to the temporary ceasefire currently in place.

The development follows confirmation from both Iran and the United States that the Strait of Hormuz is now accessible to commercial vessels.

US President Donald Trump said Iran had declared the route wide open, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the waterway would remain accessible throughout the ceasefire period.

Despite the reopening, uncertainty remains, as Trump has indicated that some restrictions may still apply pending further agreements between Washington and Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil shipments, has been at the center of growing geopolitical tensions following recent Israeli-American military actions against Iran-linked facilities.

Efforts to secure a lasting peace deal have so far produced limited results, with key disagreements, including over Iran’s nuclear program, continuing to block negotiations.

The United Nations has stressed that sustained dialogue and confidence-building measures are essential to achieving long-term stability in the region.