Trump Says Strait Of Hormuz Will Reopen Toll-Free After Mine Clearance On Friday Post MoU Signing

Last Updated:June 15, 2026, 23:00 IST

Trump and Iran agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll free after mine clearance, ending hostilities, freeing 24 billion in Iranian assets, and launching 60 day nuclear talks

US President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen to commercial shipping without fees, once Iranian forces complete mine clearance operations, as part of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran that will be formally signed in Switzerland on June 19.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade."

In a subsequent post, Trump clarified that the Strait would reopen specifically upon the formal signing of the agreement on Friday, adding: “With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!"

Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the agreement on Sunday, saying it would immediately end hostilities between the two nations. The conflict had kept the Strait largely closed since the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country served as a mediator, was the first to publicly announce the peace deal, confirming that a formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Switzerland on June 19.

The memorandum of understanding, as reported by Iranian state media agency Mehr News, is a 14-point document covering a ceasefire extension, Hormuz reopening procedures, and the outline of a 60-day negotiation window. Under the agreement, Iranian forces will be responsible for clearing the strait of sea mines within the first 30 days.

The document also stipulates the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day negotiation period, with half of that amount to be made available to Iran before formal negotiations begin.

Mine clearance, however, is not a quick process. Maritime security and shipping experts, citing a Reuters report, estimated that mine-clearing operations using traditional minesweepers and advanced underwater drones could take between 40 and 50 days before shipping companies, insurers, and oil traders are confident enough to resume regular transit.

BIMCO’s Chief Safety and Security Officer Jakob Larsen said: “We still consider it very risky for ships to commence transits at this point."

A retired US Navy rear admiral, Mark Montgomery, told BBC Radio 4 that mine clearance in the Strait could take “weeks to months," and that the world may not feel full relief from the oil export restrictions until up to two months after traffic resumes.

The conflict had disrupted roughly 20% of global oil shipments that pass annually through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to elevated energy prices worldwide.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement as a “critical step" toward resolving the war, expressing hope that both parties would build on the momentum toward a final resolution of the conflict.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum to ensure the Strait reopens and remains permanently open, adding that toll-free freedom of navigation must be restored.

After the formal signing, the two sides will have 60 days to negotiate the details of dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and lifting economic sanctions.

About the Author

Anoshito Banerjee

Anoshito Banerjee is a digital journalist at CNN-News18, specialising in Indian foreign policy, global diplomacy, South and West Asian geopolitics, and strategic affairs. His reporting spans hard news...Read More

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