The move is expected to ease concerns over shipping disruptions in and around Iranian waters and could provide relief to commercial operators navigating key maritime routes in the region.
Strait of Hormuz (Photo: Reuters)
UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 00:13 IST
The United States has lifted its maritime blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying all enforcement operations have been halted in line with President Donald Trump's directive.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, CENTCOM said American forces were no longer restricting maritime traffic linked to Iran and that naval operations aimed at enforcing the blockade had ended.
"Today, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction," CENTCOM said.
Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction. American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports. All U.S. military blockade— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 18, 2026
The announcement comes a day after Trump signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the nearly four-month conflict involving Iran and easing tensions across the region.
CENTCOM stressed that "American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports" and added that "all US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased."
While the blockade has been lifted, US naval assets will remain deployed nearby to oversee compliance with the agreement. "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," the statement said.
The move is expected to ease concerns over shipping disruptions in and around Iranian waters and could provide relief to commercial operators navigating key maritime routes in the region.
The decision marks one of the first concrete military steps taken by Washington following the signing of the agreement, which the Trump administration has portrayed as a pathway to broader regional stability.
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Published By:
Satyam Singh
Published On:
Jun 19, 2026 00:02 IST
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