First ships transit Strait of Hormuz after Iran-US ceasefire

Two commercial vessels have become the first to transit the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s agreement to reopen the strategic waterway as part of a two-week ceasefire with the United States.

According to AFP, citing MarineTraffic, the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach passed through the strait at 06:59 UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 05:28 UTC, while the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed at 08:44 UTC.

The passage comes after Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire deal overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. During the two-week agreement, maritime transit through the strait will be allowed “via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces”, according to a statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil choke-points, has been a focal point of tension between Tehran and Washington in recent months. The reopening signals a temporary easing of hostilities in the region, allowing commercial shipping and energy exports to resume under monitored conditions.

Officials from both countries have said the ceasefire provides a window for diplomacy and further negotiations, though broader geopolitical tensions remain.