The U.S. military announced the end of the blockade of Iranian ports, which had been enforced since April, according to the terms specified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) jointly signed by both sides.
On Thursday, 18 Jun 2026, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the U.S. military has lifted the maritime blockade on various Iranian ports. However, U.S. Navy warships will continue to maintain a presence in the “surrounding area.”
“Today, U.S. forces have lifted all maritime blockades on traffic both entering and leaving ports, including along Iran’s coastline, per the president’s orders. American forces are not obstructing commercial vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM stated via X.
“All U.S. military efforts to enforce the blockade have ceased. Our formidable warships will remain in the surrounding area to ensure every aspect of the agreement is fully observed, complied with, and enforced.”
The lifting of the blockade, enforced since April, occurred just one day after President Donald Trump signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran to end the Middle East war.
Vice President J.D. Vance said on Wednesday that the U.S. is “fulfilling the first part of the agreement” by lifting the blockade, and he noted that the Iranian people are also honoring “their obligations” by ceasing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Navy had deployed a substantial combat presence in the Middle East for several months. In May, there were more than 15 destroyers and 2 aircraft carriers in the region, excluding amphibious combat units and rapid-response Marine forces.
Additionally, the blockade extended beyond the Middle East region, resulting in U.S. military personnel boarding some ships in the Pacific region as well.
/Foreign news updates/https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cnn