The United States (US) military has lifted its blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports following a landmark peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which confirmed that commercial maritime activities involving Iranian ports could resume unhindered, although American naval forces would continue to maintain a presence in the region.
According to CENTCOM, “The US military has lifted its blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” while noting that “US naval ships will remain in the general area.”
US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the implementation phase of the agreement had begun.
“The 60-day negotiating period between Tehran and Washington has begun today and the blockade of Iran’s ports has been lifted,” Vance said.
The development follows the electronic signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries and establishing a framework for long-term peace, economic cooperation and regional stability.
A copy of the memorandum revealed that both nations have agreed on a roadmap designed to end military hostilities, ease sanctions, address concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and revitalise the country’s economy after years of crippling restrictions.
One of the most significant provisions of the agreement is a commitment by the United States and its regional partners to support a massive reconstruction effort in Iran.
The memorandum states that the parties will develop “a mutually agreed plan of at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development.”
The agreement also includes major security commitments. Under its terms, the United States, Iran and their respective allies agreed to “immediately and permanently end military operations on all fronts,” including in Lebanon. Both countries further pledged to “respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and refrain from interfering in each other’s domestic affairs.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, indicated that he had reservations about the deal but ultimately approved it.
“I had a different opinion” on the agreement, Khamenei said, adding that “due to the commitment that the honorable President gave me on behalf of himself and other members in safeguarding the rights of the Iranian nation and the resistance front, and explicitly accepted responsibility for it, I granted permission.”
The memorandum also contains economic concessions from Washington. According to the document, the United States will “work toward terminating all types of sanctions against Iran,” including United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), primary and secondary sanctions.
Additionally, the US Treasury Department is expected to issue waivers covering Iranian crude oil exports, petroleum products and related banking, insurance and transportation services.
Despite the agreement, reports indicate that Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon continued, with three people reportedly killed, despite provisions in the interim agreement calling for an end to Israel’s occupation-related activities in the area.
Reacting to the development, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem described the agreement as “a big victory” and said future negotiations between Lebanon and Israel should be limited to “mutual security” issues rather than discussions about the disarmament of the armed group.
The lifting of the maritime blockade is widely seen as the first concrete implementation of the agreement and could provide an immediate boost to Iran’s trade and energy exports while setting the stage for broader diplomatic and economic engagement between the two nations.
