Iran latest: Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' says Iran foreign minister

A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon on Thursday could pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of attacks. 

U.S. President Donald Trump said a White House meeting between Israel and Lebanon could take place within two weeks.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ - MAY 2017: Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime choke point with Iran situated at the top with Qeshm Island and the United Arab Emirates to the South. Imaged 24 May 2017. (Photo by Gallo Images / Copernicus

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Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling The Associated Press that the United States and Iran had an "in-principle agreement" to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Here is the latest for Friday:

Trump says blockade will remain

9:33 a.m. ET: President Trump says the blockade no Iranian vessels at the Strait of Hormuz will remain in full effect. 

Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’

8:55 a.m. ET: The Iranian Foreign Minister said the Strait of Hormuz is 'completely open' in a social media post. 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the strait is declared completely open in line with the remaining period of the ceasefire in Lebanon. 

President Trump praises Israel-Lebanon ceasefire a "historic day"

6:25 a.m. ET: Hours after the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, President Trump took to social media to call it a "historic day for Lebanon."

In a second message, he added he hoped Hezbollah would act "nicely and well" in the wake of the ceasefire between the two countries. 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)