The United States has officially ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas, marking a significant step towards ending the conflict that disrupted global energy markets and halted commercial shipping.
The move comes after Washington and Tehran signed an interim agreement aimed at ending more than three months of hostilities and reopening critical maritime routes in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
According to documents submitted by the White House to Congress, the agreement calls for the United States to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports while Iran guarantees freedom of navigation for commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
The blockade, first imposed in April, targeted vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and was enforced by U.S. naval and air assets across the Arabian Sea and Gulf region.
Approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass through the narrow waterway. On Thursday, U.S. Central Command confirmed that enforcement operations had ceased. "All U.S. blockade enforcement efforts have ceased," CENTCOM said, signaling that ships can once again travel to and from Iranian ports without facing U.S. interception.
The decision follows the signing of the agreement, where both sides pledged to halt military operations and begin negotiations toward a broader settlement including Iran's nuclear ambitions. The United States agreed to lift restrictions on Iranian maritime commerce, while Iran committed to restoring shipping activity in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
The White House's submission to Congress states that the United States will fully lift the blockade within 30 days, while Iran will maintain free commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days as negotiations continue.
U.S. forces intercepted numerous vessels during the operation, and several ships were disabled or redirected after attempting to reach Iranian ports. The restrictions significantly reduced maritime traffic and contributed to volatility in global oil markets.
Shipping activity is already beginning to recover. Vessels that had been stranded or delayed by the conflict have started moving through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in more than 100 days. Major international shipping companies have resumed transits, although some navigational challenges remain because parts of the central shipping corridor are still affected by naval mines and other war-related hazards.
Energy markets are closely watching the reopening. Restoring traffic through Hormuz has eased pressure on global crude supplies after months of disruption, with U.S. gas prices dropping below $4 a barrel for the first time since the conflict began. Global oil prices have also plummeted since.
