US military says it has lifted naval blockade of Iranian ports

Lead

The US military has lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), in a move tied to the recent agreement between Washington and Tehran suspending military operations during negotiations. All blockade enforcement efforts have ceased, though US naval vessels will remain in the area to ensure compliance with the terms of the accord.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and TASS, the Russian state news agency, both confirm the core development: US forces are no longer restricting maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas. CENTCOM's statement, quoted by all three reports, says the blockade was lifted "in accordance with the President's direction."

Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes the broader context of the US-Iran agreement and its potential fragility, noting that the deal suspends fighting during a negotiation period. The outlet also highlights that "our great Naval Ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect," as CENTCOM put it.

TASS, in one of its reports, frames the development as a straightforward military operational decision, relaying CENTCOM's statement without extensive analysis. A second TASS article focuses on Vice President JD Vance's comments regarding the implementation of the agreement, including the resumption of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Claims

Blockade lifted and enforcement ceased — All three sources report that CENTCOM confirmed the lifting of the blockade and the cessation of all enforcement efforts. The command's statement says US forces are "not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman."

US naval vessels remain in the region — Multiple reports agree that US warships will stay in the area to monitor compliance with the agreement. CENTCOM stated that their task will be to "ensure adherence to all provisions of the agreement and oversee its implementation."

12.5 million barrels of oil transited the Strait of Hormuz — Vice President JD Vance, as quoted by both Al Jazeera and TASS, reported that 12.5 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. This figure was cited in two of the three reports.

A dozen ships allowed through the blockade — Vance also said that CENTCOM had allowed "a dozen ships to go through our naval blockade" as part of the early implementation of the agreement. This detail was reported by TASS but not independently verified in Al Jazeera's coverage.

Traffic had slowed during the US-Israel war on Iran — Al Jazeera alone noted that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz "slowed to a halt during the US-Israel war on Iran, snarling energy markets and threatening to sow chaos through the global economy." This context is not mentioned in the TASS reports.

Perspectives

US military and administration perspective — CENTCOM's statements portray the lifting of the blockade as an orderly, deliberate step aligned with the president's direction. The command stresses that its forces remain to ensure the agreement is followed, suggesting a continued security role in the region. Vance's comments frame the move as both honoring the US side of the deal and a sign of progress, with oil traffic resuming.

Agreement's broader challenges — Al Jazeera points out that the deal is "fragile" and faces potential obstacles, including Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon, Iran's nuclear programme, and the future status of the region. This perspective underscores the tentative nature of the current ceasefire and the multiple unresolved issues that could disrupt it.

Regional and global economic implications — The resumption of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, is presented as a positive development for energy markets. Al Jazeera's reference to "snarling energy markets" during the conflict highlights the economic stakes involved, while the reported flow of 12.5 million barrels suggests a rapid return to normal activity.

No corrections or updates were reported in the available coverage. All sources presented the lifting of the blockade as a current development as of June 18.