CENTCOM announces US has lifted naval blockade on Iran

American naval forces, however, will continue operating in the region as part of efforts to verify that the agreement is being carried out.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

U.S. Central Command announced Thursday that the United States has lifted its maritime blockade on Iran, ending restrictions on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports while keeping American naval forces in the region to monitor implementation of the agreement.

In a statement released Thursday evening, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said all limitations on maritime traffic entering and departing Iranian ports and coastal areas had been removed.

U.S. military forces are no longer intercepting vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from Iranian ports.

According to the announcement, U.S. naval vessels will remain deployed in the area to ensure compliance with the agreement.

The decision reverses measures implemented roughly two months ago after President Donald Trump threatened maritime action during negotiations with Iran.

At the time, President Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Iran is not willing to give up its nuclear ambitions. Starting now, we will impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, and we will blow up any Iranian who fires at us. We are prepared to finish off whatever remains of Iran.”

Following that statement, CENTCOM began enforcing restrictions on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. The measures applied to vessels of every nationality operating to or from Iranian ports and coastal regions.

The blockade covered all Iranian ports located in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

A notice issued to mariners during the enforcement period warned that any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization could be subject to seizure, diversion from its course, or detention.

Neutral vessels could also be searched under the terms of the restrictions.

U.S. military authorities stated at the time that the measures would not interfere with the “innocent passage of neutral vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, to or from non-Iranian destinations.”

CENTCOM’s latest announcement formally ends the maritime restrictions. American naval forces, however, will continue operating in the region as part of efforts to verify that the agreement is being carried out.