U.S. warships cross Strait of Hormuz for first time since Iran war began

Several U.S. Navy ships crossed the https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/iran-us-strait-of-hormuz-khamenei" target="_blank">Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, a U.S. official told Axios.

Why it matters: The move was not coordinated with Iran.

It is the first time U.S. warships crossed the strait since the beginning of the war.

• The operation was aimed at increasing confidence for commercial ships to cross, sources say.
• It came as https://www.axios.com/2026/04/11/us-iran-negotiations-pakistan" target="_blank">peace talks between the two sides kicked off in Pakistan.

Driving the news: The reopening of the strait was a key provision in the U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal.

• The narrow waterway off Iran's southern coast is vital to the normal functioning of the global economy.
• For several days after the ceasefire was announced very few ships crossed.
• A U.S. official admitted earlier this week that ships were not moving through because they were intimidated by the Iranians.

What they're saying: President Trump https://truthsocial.com/%40realDonaldTrump/posts/116386190374675994" target="_blank">posted on Truth Social on Saturday that the threat that a ship may "bunk" into sea mines was the only thing Iran had to intimidate them from crossing the strait.

• 'We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others," he wrote.