Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, April 17

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open, but the U.S. naval blockade against Iran will "remain in full force."

"The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 percent complete," Trump wrote on Truth Social. (US-Iran-Blockade)

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JERUSALEM -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday announced in a statement the lifting of most gathering restrictions that were in place due to the war on the Iranian and Lebanese fronts.

The lifting of restrictions followed the start of a ceasefire in Lebanon. (Israel-Lebanon-Ceasefire)

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PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that Iran's announcement of reopening Strait of Hormuz goes in right direction.

Macron made the remarks following a conference co-hosted by France and Britain in Paris, which brought together 49 countries to discuss securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. (Macron-Strait of Hormuz-US)

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LONDON -- International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Friday that the organization is verifying a recent announcement regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to Xinhua, Dominguez said the verification is focused on "its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage using the IMO established traffic separation scheme." (IMO-Hormuz)

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KIEV -- Kiev is prepared for a potential high-level meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with mediation by Türkiye and the United States, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Friday, citing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

"We are ready for such a meeting in Türkiye. I am referring to a meeting between Zelensky, Putin, (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, and possibly (U.S. President Donald) Trump," Sybiha said during his visit to Türkiye. (Ukraine-Russia-Leaders' Meeting) Enditem