First Cruise Ship Transits Strait of Hormuz Since Conflict Began

The cruise ship Celestyal Discovery has become the first passenger vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict in the Middle East. The Malta-flagged ship departed Dubai on April 17 after remaining docked for 47 days.

The vessel is sailing without passengers and is expected to arrive in Oman on Saturday.

The transit follows announcements made hours earlier by Iran and the United States that the strategic waterway, which had been effectively closed since the war began, would be fully reopened for commercial traffic by the end of a ceasefire. However, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the American blockade of Iranian ports would continue until an agreement is reached with Tehran. Following these statements, oil prices fell significantly.

According to Iranian sources, vessels will be able to follow agreed-upon routes under the supervision of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with about 20 percent of the world's oil passing through it. Its reopening removes a major threat to a deepening global energy crisis.