‘Lifted Blockade On All Maritime Traffic’: US Navy Reopens Access To Iranian Ports On Trump's Orders

Published 18 June 2026 · world

‘Lifted Blockade On All Maritime Traffic’: US Navy Reopens Access To Iranian Ports On Trump's Orders Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 22:48 IST

‘Lifted Blockade On All Maritime Traffic’: US Navy Reopens Access To Iranian Ports On Trump's Orders Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 22:48 IST The command added that US naval vessels will remain deployed in the region to monitor compliance with the agreement. Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US forces have officially lifted the naval blockade on Iran, a major confidence-building measure that comes after Washington and Tehran reached an initial agreement aimed at ending months of military tensions in the region. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), CENTCOM said that, acting under the direction of US President Donald Trump, American forces have ceased all maritime blockade enforcement operations around Iran. “Today, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President’s direction," CENTCOM said, adding, “American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

All US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased." CENTCOM also said that US naval vessels will remain in the region to monitor compliance with the agreement and ensure that its terms are fully implemented. The lifting of the blockade follows a breakthrough diplomatic agreement between the US and Iran that is intended to pave the way toward a permanent end to the conflict. US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both sides have signed an initial accord, triggering a 60-day period of negotiations on a comprehensive peace settlement. According to JD Vance, the agreement includes several side understandings, including what he described as “gentlemen’s agreements" covering specific aspects of the negotiation process. Technical talks between US and Iranian officials are expected to begin this weekend, while preparations continue for in-person negotiations in Switzerland. The preliminary agreement also provides for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, along with other de-escalation measures.

However, challenges remain. While the framework calls for an immediate end to hostilities across multiple fronts, Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon and has signaled it does not intend to withdraw, raising concerns that regional tensions could complicate diplomatic efforts. The removal of the blockade is expected to have immediate economic and strategic consequences. It allows commercial vessels to freely access Iranian ports, restores shipping traffic through key waterways and reduces pressure on global energy markets that have faced disruption during the conflict. The move also signals the first tangible implementation of the US-Iran agreement, offering a test of whether both sides can translate the ceasefire framework into a broader and more durable peace deal. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: June 18, 2026, 22:40 IST News world ‘Lifted Blockade On All Maritime Traffic’: US Navy Reopens Access To Iranian Ports On Trump's Orders Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.