Donald Trump issues Strait of Hormuz message as oil prices plunge

Donald Trump has celebrated the reopening to commercial vessels of the Strait of Hormuz, announced earlier today by Iran. He wrote on Truth Social: “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”

Minutes prior to the US leader’s social media post, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced the key waterway would be free to passage to commercial ships following the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. He wrote on X: “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.”

Shortly after the announcement, the cost of oil per barrel tumbled more than 10%.

Brent crude dropped 11.4% to $88.04 a barrel, while WTI was down 12% to $83.23 a barrel shortly before 2.15pm BST.

European natural gas prices also fell, with the benchmark Dutch TTF contract down 8% to 39.06 euros a megawatt hour.