Big Take Podcast

The Strait of Hormuz Is Open. Now What?

On today’s Big Take podcast: What led Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, how it could shape upcoming negotiations and why the world is (still) holding its breath.

Ships at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz.Photographer: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

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By David Gura, Rachael Lewis-Krisky, and David Fox

April 17, 2026 at 8:16 PM UTC

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The Strait of Hormuz is now open. In a social media post Friday morning, Iran’s Foreign Minister wrote that Iran will be letting ships through the vital waterway for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon. Oil prices fell, and President Trump celebrated. But Iran’s announcement came with a big caveat: Travel must use a “coordinated route,” specified by Iran.