Iran's FM says commercial vessels' passage through Strait of Hormuz "completely open"
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that, in line with the truce in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared "completely open" for the remaining period of the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X hours after a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect following more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has claimed over 2,000 lives.
Araghchi stressed that vessels can cross the strait via the previously announced coordinated route announced by Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization.
In reaction to the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump thanked Iran for the announcement of a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Ground paved for comprehensive efforts to establish permanent regional peace: Iranian envoy
Citing intense Pakistani diplomacy efforts, Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said Friday in a social media post that the ground, more or less, has been paved for comprehensive, unified and united efforts to establish permanent peace and collective security, sustainable development, progress and prosperity for all in the Middle East and beyond.
Noting the progress made in the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he said that trust, goodwill, avoiding redundancy in action and words, respect, as well as particularly synergy among the countries of the region, can bridge the existing gaps to achieve the significant goals.
The intelligentsia, politicians, scholars and media can play a significant role in helping bridge the current chasm towards convergence, he added.
Trump says Hormuz Strait open, U.S. to get Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money exchanged
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open, but the U.S. naval blockade against Iran will "remain in full force."
"The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 percent complete," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The United States will get all of Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money having exchanged hands "in any way, shape, or form," Trump said in another post later.
Trump also said that Iran, with the help of the United States, has removed or is in the process of removing all sea mines in the strait.
Iran says transferring enriched uranium to U.S. never an option
Iran will not transfer its enriched uranium to a foreign country, and sending it to the United States has never been under consideration, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Friday.
Baghaei, speaking on state-run IRIB television, said that recent public statements by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi were made within the framework of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States announced on April 8, not as signals of a new diplomatic opening.
Earlier Friday, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain "completely open" to commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce between Iran and the United States.
Netanyahu says to advance diplomatic, military solution with Lebanese gov't
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel will provide an opportunity to advance an integrated diplomatic and military solution with the Lebanese government.
"For the first time in 43 years, Israeli representatives are talking directly with Lebanese ones. The road to peace is still long, but we have started it. One of our hands holds a weapon, the other hand reaches out for peace," Netanyahu said in a statement.
He said Israel has, for the first time, created a deep security zone in southern Lebanon, along Israel's entire northern border, where Israeli forces remain, "completely removing the imminent threat of invasion and anti-tank fire."
Lebanese president announces shift to negotiating permanent agreements after ceasefire phase
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that Lebanon has entered a new phase focused on negotiating permanent agreements to safeguard the rights of its people, the unity of its territory, and the sovereignty of the state.
In an address to the Lebanese, Aoun said the country is moving from ceasefire implementation efforts toward a broader stage aimed at securing long-term stability. He voiced confidence that, as in the previous phase, these efforts would help "save Lebanon."
He attributed the ceasefire to collective efforts and sacrifices by the Lebanese people, including those who remain in frontline areas, as well as sustained diplomatic engagement with international and regional partners.
Aoun said negotiations are not a sign of weakness or retreat, but rather a sovereign decision to protect Lebanon's interests, prevent further loss of life, and end displacement.
14 killed in S. Lebanon amid pre-ceasefire strikes, post-truce "violations"
At least 14 people have been killed and dozens injured in Israeli attacks and related incidents across southern Lebanon, including strikes before the ceasefire took effect and "violations" reported afterward.
According to the National News Agency on Friday, rescue teams recovered 13 bodies and pulled out 35 injured people from under the rubble following overnight Israeli strikes on the city of Tyre, which occurred before the ceasefire came into force.
Around 15 people are still believed to be missing, as emergency crews continue search operations, according to the agency.
Former Myanmar President U Win Myint released under amnesty
Former Myanmar President U Win Myint was released under amnesty on Friday, state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) reported.
Myanmar's President U Min Aung Hlaing granted amnesty to over 4,500 prisoners on Friday, the first day of the Myanmar calendar New Year, MRTV reported.
The president granted amnesty to 4,335 Myanmar prisoners and 179 foreign prisoners in separate orders on New Year's Day, the report said.
Japanese protesters rally against gov't plan to lift ban on lethal arms
Japanese citizens staged a protest rally on Thursday evening in front of the prime minister's office in Tokyo, voicing strong opposition to the government's plan to scrap restrictions on the export of lethal weapons.
The demonstration came as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is considering revising the implementation guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology in the near future.
Protesters held placards reading "Oppose lifting the five-category restriction," "No to arms exports," and "Japan must not become a merchant of death," while chanting slogans such as "No repeating past mistakes" and "We reject war." Participants expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over the Takaichi administration's move to loosen constraints on lethal weapons exports.■
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