US and Iran Reach Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The Federal government of the United States and Iran have announced an interim agreement to halt fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which had been effectively closed for over three months. Under the deal, scheduled for signing on June 19, Iran will reopen the waterway while the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports. The reopening faces significant hurdles, including a backlog of approximately 600 vessels and the presence of naval mines. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that large sections of the waterway are mined, prompting the United Kingdom and France to develop plans for a multinational mine-clearing mission.

The agreement follows a period of intense military escalation in June 2025. After Israeli attacks on June 13 and U.S. bombings of nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow on June 22, Iranian naval vessels loaded maritime mines in the Persian Gulf. While the Iranian parliament supported a non-binding measure to block the strait, the Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ultimately did not approve the move. A White House official attributed this restraint to the bombing of nuclear sites and a "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign that left Iran "significantly weakened."

Disputes remain regarding the financial terms of the reopening. President Donald Trump stated the strait will be toll-free, but reports from the Fars New Agency indicate Iran intends to charge for safety and navigation services after an initial 60-day free period.