Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open, but Warns of Risk From Mines

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said ’technical restrictions’ in the strait were connected to the conflict and would take time to remove.

A cargo ship sits at anchor in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governorate, in the United Arab Emirates, on March 11, 2026. Stringer/Reuters

Iran said on April 9 that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all civilian shipping but has warned vessels to coordinate with Tehran, due to the risk from mines in the channel.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told ITV in an interview, broadcast on April 9, that ships from all countries—including the United States—can pass “as usual” if they liaise with Iranian authorities.