Hegseth says Hormuz is open; senior Iranian official says Tehran will open strait in ‘limited’ manner tomorrow or Friday

By Reuters 8 April 2026, 3:45 pm

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, looks toward Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, as they speak to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that the Strait of Hormuz is open and the US military would be “hanging around” in the Middle East to ensure Iran complies with the ceasefire.

However, a senior Iranian official involved in talks with the US tells Reuters Iran could open the Strait of Hormuz in a limited and controlled way tomorrow or Friday ahead of a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan, implying it was not open yet.

“If an understanding on a framework for talks is reached, the strait could be opened “limited, under Iran’s control,” the official says.

“Coordinating with Iranian military will be mandatory for all ships. Still the ceasefire is fragile, however, we prefer lasting peace but Iran has no fear to return to war if the US wants go the same way.”