Iran’s Face-Saving Strait Spin Gets Upstaged by a Cruise Ship

As we reported, the Iranian regime decided it needed to save face on Friday in the face of the successful U.S. blockade. They "agreed" to open the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump announced.

Of course, the Strait had already been effectively open for everyone but Iran-connected vehicles under the U.S. blockade. The U.S. was only blocking ships going to or coming from Iranian ports.

But the Iranian regime desperately tried to spin how they were in control, with the Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claiming that all ships had to pass through their coordinated route.

In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026

First, this is just nonsense since the U.S. has been in control with its blockade, and the blockade continues. So the regime is in control of nothing.

On top of that, a simple cruise ship proved how silly the Iranian regime's claims were.

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. The Malta-flagged vessel departed Dubai on 17 April after remaining docked… pic.twitter.com/3wR1P6Lc6G
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) April 17, 2026

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. The Malta-flagged vessel departed Dubai on 17 April after remaining docked for approximately 47 days, having first arrived in early March. According to #MarineTraffic data, the ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz at UTC today and is currently heading toward Muscat, Oman, with an estimated arrival on 18 April. Reports indicate the vessel is sailing without passengers.

So, if you look at the cruise ship's line, it hugged Oman and took the southern route. So not only did they not hit any mines, showing that there is a clear route in the south, but they didn't take the "approved" Iranian regime route between Qeshm and Larak islands. There were no passengers aboard.

So that was effectively a great big finger to the Iranian claim. And there are reportedly others making for the Strait, so we'll let you know how that goes.

The funny thing was that while Iran was spinning to save face, their agreement helped the markets and further dropped the oil prices. So, please, Iran, do go on.

But in case there's any doubt about who is in control in the face of the Iranian propaganda, this video should make it clear.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) directs a merchant vessel to return to an Iranian port as it enforces the U.S. blockade, April 17.

Since commencement of the blockade, 19 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return to Iran.… pic.twitter.com/v4dhGw8wUH
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 17, 2026

Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.

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