On the other side of Mahnaz Street in Tehran, the main target of the April 8 attack is now a gaping hole in what was once a leafy neighbourhood. Excavators shove chunks of concrete into piles as residents walk past to observe the damage for themselves. Mehran, who has lived there for 25 years, insists there was no military activity in the area before the strike that destroyed his home and those of his neighbours.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remainder of the ceasefire period. The statement came as global markets reacted strongly, with major US stock indices rising in early trading. The S&P 500 increased by 0.8%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average both gained more than 1%. European markets likewise rose, with France’s Cac index and Germany’s Dax climbing by over 2% and London’s FTSE 100 increasing by approximately 0.5%.
The Strait of Hormuz had been effectively closed by Iran since late February when the US and Israel launched military strikes inside the country. Tanker traffic slowed to a trickle, severely restricting global oil and gas supplies and pushing prices upward. Before the conflict, Brent crude traded below $70 per barrel. It rose above $100 and peaked at more than $119 per barrel in March.
On a wall facing the ruins of Mehran’s home, someone has painted the message: “Trump’s help has arrived. Death to America.” Nearby residents describe finding only household items like refrigerators and beds in the wreckage, with no signs of military presence. Mohammad, who fled his office building during the strikes, said he never saw any security personnel in the area.
For more on this story, see Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping during ceasefire.
The announcement about the Strait of Hormuz reopening coincided with a fragile ceasefire holding between the involved parties. Residents in Tehran continue to assess the damage while navigating daily life amid ongoing tensions. The contrast between the diplomatic move to reopen a critical global chokepoint and the visible destruction in residential areas highlights the complex layers of the current situation.
Why did Iran decide to reopen the Strait of Hormuz now?
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open for commercial vessels for the remaining duration of the ceasefire, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
How did global markets react to the news about the Strait of Hormuz?
Major US stock indices rose, with the S&P 500 increasing by 0.8% and the Nasdaq and Dow Jones both gaining more than 1%. European markets also rose, with France’s Cac index and Germany’s Dax climbing by over 2% and London’s FTSE 100 increasing by approximately 0.5%.
What was the condition of the Strait of Hormuz before Iran’s announcement?
The Strait of Hormuz had been effectively shut by Iran since the US and Israel launched military strikes in late February, slowing tanker traffic to a trickle and reducing global oil and gas supplies.
What do residents of Mahnaz Street say about the attack on their neighbourhood?
Residents say they saw no military activity in the area before the strike and found only household items like refrigerators and beds in the wreckage, with no signs of military presence.
