Ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz for the first since since President Donald Trump halted strikes on Iran.The US and Iran agreed a two-week ceasefire last night, in which the Islamic Republic agreed to open up the critical shipping lane after blocking it in retaliation to strikes. There are roughly 800 ships waiting to pass through the strait. GB News has monitored shipping traffic and it appears a ship sailing under the St Kitts and Nevis flag has passed through the shipping lane.
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Another ship, under the Maltese flag, is currently entering the strait. The vital waterway, in which typically 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through, was blocked by Iran on March 2. However, since the ceasefire was agreed by the US and Iran, brokered by the Pakistani Government, the Islamic Republic confirmed ships could pass through the strait, so long as vessels liaise with Iranian military.In a statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”This comes after President Trump declared he would destroy Iran’s “whole civilisation” on Tuesday after his deal deadline for Iran loomed.At the 11th hour, the US President announced a fortnight-long ceasefire had been struck, on the proviso that Iran opens the shipping waterway immediately. He wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday night: “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East.”LATEST DEVELOPMENTSFtse 100 jumps 3% as investors cut interest rate hike expectations following US-Iran ceasefireOil prices plunge after Donald Trump’s ceasefire announcement in major reprieve for BritonsKeir Starmer ‘desperately trying to regain credibility’ after Iran ceasefire, says James CleverlyPakistani officials intervened after Mr Trump’s apocalyptic messaging towards Iran, requesting the US grants a two-week ceasefire and an opening up of the Strait of Hormuz. The US President personally thanked the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and armed forces chief, Asim Munir. Iran’s new Ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, agreed to the conditional ceasefire, three Iranian officials told The New York Times – despite him being unconscious.Also playing a part in brokering the ceasfire was China, to which Mr Trump later confirmed had helped bring Iran to the negotiating table.Since the closure of the strait at the end of February, the global price of oil soared.Petrol pumps across the UK reflected the strain, with prices per litre of diesel as much as 48p higher than before the Iranian conflict kicked off on February 28. The UK’s average price of diesel has reached 190.6p per litre, the RAC has said. Concerns spread across the globe on how a limited oil supply would impact nations domestically, with some countries taking protectionary measures as a precaution.Pressure is again mounting on the UK Government to take action – with demands from the Conservatives and Reform UK to allow oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and to lift fuel duty.This comes as Sir Keir Starmer heads to the Middle East today, Wednesday, where he is expected to engage with Gulf allies in diplomatic efforts and offering support. The Prime Minister said: “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.“Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”
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