Ships are moving again through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping channels. On June 20, 2026, the U.S. military confirmed that commercial vessels were flowing through once more, following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran announced five days earlier.

The ceasefire deal came on June 15, 2026. Both countries agreed to stop fighting and reopen the strait so ships could pass freely. Oil prices dropped immediately when the deal was announced—a sign that traders expected shipping to resume. Reuters reported the price fall. About one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil passes through this strait, so the closure had been a major problem. AP News reported that Iran was working on extending the ceasefire deal, suggesting the countries planned to do this in steps rather than all at once.

U.S. allies wasted no time. They proposed creating a multinational naval mission—a kind of international security force—to keep the strait safe for ships passing through. AP News reported that France was a leading voice in this idea. Spreading responsibility among multiple countries reduces the risk that the entire arrangement falls apart if politics change in Washington.

Building the Foundation

The ceasefire required groundwork first. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Kuwait's Foreign Minister on June 4, 2026. Kuwait sits in a strategic location on the Persian Gulf and has good relations with both Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Rubio also spoke with India's foreign minister in June 2026 about the strait situation. India buys huge amounts of oil from the Gulf, so the closure threatened its energy supply.

Both conversations were part of a larger effort to build international support before announcing the deal. The U.S. had already pushed for a UN vote on May 8, 2026, asking the world to support freedom of navigation through the strait. This public stance gave other countries a way to support the U.S. position publicly without looking like they were taking sides.

What Comes Next

The ceasefire agreement is being done in phases, which creates uncertainty. The countries are still negotiating details—especially about when the U.S. will lift sanctions on Iran and what role American warships will play in the Gulf. Until those issues are settled, ships are moving and U.S. forces are present, but the bigger political deal is unfinished.

There is another complication. Iran has never liked having foreign navies in the Gulf acting as police or security monitors. For the multinational naval mission to work without causing new problems, Iran would have to accept it. European countries like France are interested in this mission partly because they want a role in managing the region's future security, especially after years of disruption to their oil supplies.

The price drop when the deal was announced happened right away. The longer test is whether this agreement holds up or whether tensions return. The U.S. military's June 20 announcement—focused on ships moving, not military strength—was meant to show things are returning to normal without declaring that everything is solved.

The real moment of truth will come when the two countries either finalize the remaining terms or the negotiations break down. Until then, the strait is open, but the work is not done.