Hormuz to reopen Friday under US-Iran deal: Trump

TEHRAN, Jun 16: Iran and the United States said ships had again started moving through the Strait of Hormuz -- with President Donald Trump saying the vital oil route would be "completely open" by Friday -- after Washington and Tehran announced a deal to end the Middle East war.

The reopening of one of the world's most important energy chokepoints would mark a major step toward ending months of deadly conflict and economic turmoil triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

"Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said, adding later that he did not "think we will need much help" keeping the waterway open.

The deal sparked a huge rally across global equities, with the Dow on Wall Street hitting a record high and crude prices plunging almost five percent.

Iranian media reported on Monday evening that three oil tankers and two laden cargo ships had passed through the area that had been subject to a US naval blockade.

Iran had blockaded the strait since the start of the war, sending oil prices soaring and raising fears of a prolonged inflation shock. The United States then blocked shipping to and from Iranian ports.�"AFP