WASHINGTON — The United States has lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports following a preliminary agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at reducing tensions in the Gulf region, U.S. officials said on Thursday, June 18. U.S. Central Command said maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas would no longer be blocked after the agreement was reached.
The move followed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries that included provisions on maritime access, according to officials from both sides. Iran said the arrangement included reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, while the United States agreed to lift the naval restrictions on Iranian ports.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that “all US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased,” according to reports. The command added that U.S. naval forces would remain in the region to monitor compliance with the agreement.
The blockade had been imposed during a period of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. On June 15, a U.S. maritime advisory said the restrictions on traffic to and from Iranian ports would remain in place until an agreement was completed, according to Reuters. The advisory warned vessels against attempting to breach the restrictions without authorization.
Iranian officials said the preliminary agreement covered several issues, including maritime access, oil sanctions measures and discussions related to Tehran’s nuclear program. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the draft memorandum included a commitment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels and a U.S. commitment to lift the port blockade. Details of the final agreement remained subject to further negotiations.
U.S. officials described the agreement as an initial step rather than a final settlement. Vice President JD Vance said the United States was honoring its part of the early agreement by allowing ships through to Iranian ports, according to The Washington Post. “So we’re also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side,” Vance said.
Iranian authorities have said they will work to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major international energy route. However, details about implementation procedures, monitoring arrangements and the timing of further negotiations remain unclear.
On Sunday, June 21, U.S. and Iranian officials continued discussions on the next phase of the preliminary agreement. The two sides have said additional negotiations are expected as they work toward a broader arrangement, while maritime activity in the region remains under observation.
