U.S. Vice President JD Vance says the United States is lifting part of its naval blockade affecting Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz under an agreement with Iran. Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance says U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) allows “north of a dozen” ships to pass through the blockade toward Iranian ports, describing this as the U.S. honoring an early component of the deal on the military side. Multiple outlets report he also links the change to increased commercial activity through the strait. Korea Times reports Vance cites about 12.5 million barrels passing through the shipping channel late Wednesday into Thursday. Courthouse News adds that major shipowners begin moving vessels through the Strait of Hormuz following the agreement’s signing, citing maritime data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Other outlets similarly frame the development as the Strait of Hormuz reopening to commercial shipping and as a measurable step taken by the U.S. in connection with the memorandum of understanding. Reporting varies mainly on the exact number of ships mentioned, but the common point is that the U.S. has permitted more than a dozen vessels to move through the previously enforced blockade as part of the deal.
JD Vance says U.S. allows over a dozen ships through blockade to Iranian ports
U.S. Vice President JD Vance says the United States is lifting part of its naval blockade affecting Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz under an agreement with Iran. Speaking at a White House brief...
- JD Vance says CENTCOM allows more than a dozen ships to pass through a U.S. naval blockade toward Iranian ports.
- Vance presents the move as the U.S. fulfilling an early step under a memorandum or agreement with Iran.
- Several outlets say increased commercial shipping is occurring through the Strait of Hormuz following the change.
- One report (Korea Times) cites about 12.5 million barrels passing through the shipping channel late Wednesday night/into Thursday.
- Maritime data cited by one outlet indicates shipowners begin routing vessels through the strait after the agreement was signed.
US says it lifted blockade on Iranian ports US Vice President JD Vance has announced that Washington has lifted its blockade on Iranian ports as the Strait of Hormuz reopens to commercial shipping. "Centcom has allowed north of a dozen ships to go through our naval blockade. And so we're also honouring our end of the early part of the agreement," he said. “CENTCOM has allowed north of a dozen ships to go through our naval blockade. And so we're also honouring our end of the early part of the agreement.” US Vice President JD Vance has announced that the United States has lifted its blockade of Iranian ports as the Strait of Hormuz… pic.twitter.com/MJNkxIvLIN — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 18, 2026
2 months agoWASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war. Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Republican vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels went through the shipping channel Wednesday night. “So we’re also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side,” Vance said, citing it as an immediate benefit of the deal as he downplayed criticism that the agreement tilts in favor of Iran. And in an extraordinary rebuke, he warned U.S. critics in Israel against “attacking the only powerful ally” it has left. He lashed out at members of the Israeli government, warning them that “Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time.” Vance said he plans to travel to Switzerland for talks on the Iran deal but he doesn’t know when that will ha
2 months agoVance: US let at least 12 ships pass blockade after Iran deal The US military has allowed at least 12 ships to pass through its naval blockade of Iran's ports following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday. "On the blockade, Centcom has allowed north of a dozen ships to go through our naval blockade, and so we're also honouring our end of the early part of the agreement," Vance told journalists, referring to the US military command responsible for the Middle East.
2 months agoMajor shipowners have begun moving vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the agreement was signed, according to maritime data company Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
2 months agoAt a White House press conference on Thursday, Vance announced that more oil is now passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
2 months agoThe U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war, Vice President JD Vance said Thursday. Vance...
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