Agencies | Washington:
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced the lifting of the naval blockade on Iran, marking a significant confidence-building measure following a preliminary agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending months of military tensions in the region.
In a statement issued on X, CENTCOM said that, under the direction of US President Donald Trump, American forces have ceased all maritime blockade enforcement operations around Iran.
“US forces have lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas in accordance with the President’s direction,” CENTCOM said. “American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased.”
The command, however, clarified that US naval assets will remain deployed in the region to monitor compliance with the agreement and ensure its provisions are implemented effectively.
The move follows a breakthrough diplomatic understanding between the United States and Iran, which is intended to lay the groundwork for a permanent resolution of the conflict. US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both sides have signed an initial accord, triggering a 60-day negotiation period aimed at securing a comprehensive peace settlement.
According to Vance, the agreement includes several supplementary understandings, described as “gentlemen’s agreements,” addressing specific aspects of the negotiation process. Technical-level discussions between American and Iranian officials are expected to commence this weekend, while preparations are underway for formal in-person talks in Switzerland.
The preliminary accord also provides for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor, alongside other measures designed to reduce regional tensions and restore stability.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, challenges remain. While the framework calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, ongoing military operations by Israel in Lebanon and its stated reluctance to withdraw have raised concerns that broader regional tensions could complicate efforts to achieve a lasting settlement.
Analysts say the removal of the blockade is expected to produce immediate economic and strategic benefits by restoring commercial access to Iranian ports, normalizing shipping through critical waterways, and easing pressure on global energy markets disrupted by the conflict.
The decision represents the first major implementation of the US-Iran agreement and is widely viewed as a crucial test of both sides’ commitment to transforming the current ceasefire framework into a broader and more durable peace accord.
