New Delhi, Jun 19: The United States has lifted its naval blockade of Iran following the signing of an agreement aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia.
The US Central Command confirmed on X that the blockade had been terminated “in accordance with the President’s direction”, while noting that some American naval vessels would remain in the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei publicly endorsed the agreement for the first time, saying he had approved the deal despite holding a “different view” on the matter. Khamenei said he agreed after receiving assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian that the government would “protect the rights of the Iranian nation”.
Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of using “all kinds of leverage” to secure the agreement but stressed that future face-to-face negotiations with Washington would not amount to accepting the US position.
The agreement, formally known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), contains 14 key provisions, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a commitment that Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon, and the creation of a USD 300 billion reconstruction and economic development fund for Iran.
The deal also sets a 60-day deadline for negotiating a final settlement, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.
US Vice President J D Vance said the agreement had already come into force, triggering the 60-day negotiation period.
He indicated that further technical talks between US and Iranian representatives would likely take place in Switzerland.
Vance defended the accord amid criticism from some US lawmakers.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy described the agreement as the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades”, arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions had not been sufficiently curtailed.
However, Vance maintained that Iran would receive no financial benefits or sanctions relief unless it fulfilled its commitments, including destroying its stockpile of enriched uranium and ending support for proxy groups in the region.
The vice president also criticised members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet who have opposed the deal, saying they should “wake up and smell the reality”.
He warned that civilian casualties resulting from attacks in Lebanon were “not acceptable” and said Israel must respect the peace process with Iran.
Despite the agreement, tensions remain high.
Both Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have reportedly continued exchanging strikes, including attacks in Lebanon that reportedly killed three people on Thursday.
Israel has maintained that its conflict with Hezbollah is separate from the war with Iran, while Hezbollah has rejected the terms of the US-Iran agreement.
The deal marks the most significant diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran in years and is being closely watched as both sides begin negotiations on a comprehensive settlement.
