Iran declares strait of Hormuz open but few ships are passing through vital sea lane | BBC News

Commercial shipping is not flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz, despite Iran declaring that the vital shipping lane is open again.

Shipping companies are still said to be concerned about mines, as well as new rules Iran has imposed on them using the Strait.

While the markets have rallied, there remains  a lot of uncertainty over the status of the strait, which normally carries around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies.

Iran declared it was reopening the shipping channel after a truce agreed in the war between Israel and the Iranian backed militia group, Hezbollah. However Donald Trump has insisted that the US blockade of Iranian ports will continue, until a permanent peace deal is agreed, in America's own war, with Iran.

While the current ceasefire between the US and Iran still appears to be holding, it's due to run out next week, with both sides still far apart on agreeing the conditions for a lasting deal.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Dharshini David and Lyse Doucet.

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