Hormuz Remains Effectively Closed Despite Iran's Pledge, Kpler Says

TL;DR

Commodities firm Kpler reports the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to normal traffic despite Iran's recent pledge to reopen it.
Shippers face uncertainty from U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports and unclear passage terms during the ceasefire.
This sustains high oil prices and supply risks amid ongoing U.S.-Iran war talks.

The story at a glance

Kpler, a commodities-data agency, said Friday the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed despite Iran's foreign minister announcing it is completely open to commercial vessels for the ceasefire period. President Trump welcomed the pledge but said the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports stays in full force until a deal is reached. The report comes amid a U.S.-Iran war that started February 28, 2026, with recent cease-fires in Lebanon adding to fragile talks.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-us-talks-2026/card/hormuz-remains-effectively-closed-despite-iran-s-pledge-kpler-says-mTfXbEoMFshWQx3a4teg)[[2]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-us-talks-2026)

Key points

Iran closed the strait after U.S.-Israel strikes began on February 28; daily ship transits fell from over 100 to around 7 by early April.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the strait is open to commercial shipping during the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, following a halt to fighting in Lebanon.[[3]](https://www.argusmedia.com/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2815739-shipowners-wary-after-hormuz-reopening-pledge-update)
Trump responded that the U.S. blockade remains active specifically against Iranian ports and vessels, creating confusion for non-Iranian shippers.
Kpler data shows minimal traffic: recent crossings mostly Iranian-linked tankers or isolated cases like a Pakistani Aframax heading to Karachi.
Oil prices fell over 10% on the announcement but stay above pre-war levels due to persistent disruptions.[[4]](https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/posts/iran-has-announced-that-the-strait-of-hormuz-will-be-open-to-commercial-vessels-/1404121095076534)

Details and context

The strait normally handles 20% of global oil flows, around 20 million barrels a day; war cut that to 3.8 million bpd by mid-April, per IEA data, with Gulf OPEC nations shutting in 9 million bpd.[[5]](https://www.riotimesonline.com/iran-war-hormuz-crisis-2026-guide)

Shipowners hesitate due to security risks, mines, IRGC controls like tolls in yuan, and U.S. interdictions of toll-payers even outside the strait.[[6]](https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.march28.26.htm)

A U.S. blockade started April 14 after talks stalled in Pakistan; it targets all ships from Iranian ports, turning back some like a Chinese tanker.[[7]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us-cease-fire-talks-stalled-2026/card/zJkcXeBTMs3YPmCFpeSK)

Key quotes

“The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed,” commodities-data agency Kpler said Friday.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-us-talks-2026/card/hormuz-remains-effectively-closed-despite-iran-s-pledge-kpler-says-mTfXbEoMFshWQx3a4teg)

Why it matters

The strait carries one-fifth of world oil, so its effective closure sustains supply shocks from the U.S.-Iran war. Businesses face higher fuel costs, investors see volatile energy markets, and consumers deal with elevated prices despite the price dip. Watch tanker transits and Trump-Iran talks for signs of real reopening, though shipper caution may prolong risks.