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By Andrew Stanton
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President Donald Trump’s announcement that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for the global oil supply, was met with ridicule from some conservatives such as Ann Coulter.
Trump’s Friday announcement comes more than a month after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The Iranian government closed the strait amid the conflict, leading to higher gas prices for consumers around the globe. The announcement was praised by many Republicans, but some on the right mocked Trump over the news.
When reached by Newsweek, a spokesperson for the White House pointed to Trump’s Truth Social post.
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Is the Strait of Hormuz Open?
Trump on Friday wrote on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz is “fully open and ready for full passage.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also confirmed its opening on X.
"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," Araghchi wrote.
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Ann Coulter, Other Conservatives Mock Trump Announcement
Coulter, who has been supportive of Trump in the past, criticized the announcement on X.
“Yay. The Strait that was open before we began bombing Iran open, is open again. Everybody pretend this is a huge victory for Trump so he'll end this catastrophe,” she wrote.
Other conservatives made similar critiques of the president.
“The strait is reopen! What a victory! The strait was already open before…,” conservative commentator Owen Shroyer wrote.
In a video posted on X, Shroyer described the announcement as "something to cheer about" for MAGA.
"The news today is that the strait is open, and this is the victory," he said. "This is the big victory that the strait is open. The strait has been open. The strait was open before we started the war. So if that's your measuring stick for victory, then the war was won before it even started."
Conservative Evan Kilgore responded to Shroyer, writing: “What exactly am I supposed to be clapping for? More expensive gas? Dead troops? Billions of spending? Military bases attacked? Yay... the Strait is open... just like it was before.”
Other conservatives were more supportive. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, wrote on X: “Very glad to hear the Strait of Hormuz is open, at least for the remainder of the ceasefire.”
Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, wrote: “Good, hopefully Iran is coming to its senses and will do what they agree to, only time will tell. Thankfully, we have a president who: - Believes in peace through strength - Trusts but verifies - FIGHTS for the American people.”
Breck Worsham, also known as the Patriotic Blonde on X, wrote: “So, the Strait that was already open before we began bombing Iran is open again and Trump is calling that a victory because he opened it?”
What Is the Strait of Hormuz and Why Is it Important?
Roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day, about one‑fifth of global petroleum consumption, normally pass through the strait, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Its closure amid the Iran war has put new pressure on global oil markets, leading to higher prices both globally and in the United States.
The strait lies between Iran to the north and Oman to the south, with shipping lanes passing through the territorial waters of both countries, but the strait is governed by international maritime law. Iran exerts significant influence because of its long northern coastline and control of nearby islands overlooking the narrow lanes, while Oman oversees the southern side.
The waterway is also a critical route for liquefied natural gas (LNG), carrying about 20 percent of global LNG trade, largely from Qatar. Most of the oil shipped through the strait is bound for Asian markets, making disruptions especially significant for global energy prices.
When Will Gas Prices Go Down?
Trump’s announcement has major implications for gas prices, which have surged amid the Iran war.
Oil prices fell more than 13 percent on Friday after Trump’s announcement. Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 13.4 percent to $86.11 per barrel, though it is still higher than the $70 per barrel level from before the war. Oil futures have also fallen about 10 percent on Friday.
Scott Laing, a professor of finance at the University at Buffalo, told Newsweek that the strait’s reopening is “not going to be some light switch” for gas prices.
“It’s going to take months for us to see a lowering of the prices at the pump, if not a full-on year, to get it to where we were before the war began,” he said.
Update 4/17/26, 2:26 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 4/17/26 2:52 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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