Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: "U.S. Lifts Maritime Blockade on Iranian Ports"

U.S. Lifts Maritime Blockade After Two Months
"Iranian Ships Sail Beyond U.S. Blockade Line"

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Iran has announced that the United States has lifted its maritime blockade, which had been enforced along the entire Iranian coastline, after roughly two months. This move is seen as a preemptive acceptance of Iran’s request by the U.S., ahead of the scheduled signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a ceasefire agreement set for June 19.

According to AFP on June 16 (local time), Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, stated at a press briefing, “Ahead of the official signing ceremony for the ceasefire agreement scheduled for the 19th, the U.S. maritime blockade on Iranian ports has been lifted.” He added, “The lifting of the blockade has been a matter we have continuously emphasized from the beginning, and the process to lift it has already commenced.”

IRIB, Iran’s state-run media, also reported, “Iranian vessels have passed through previously blockaded zones,” and noted that “three Iranian oil tankers are currently sailing in the northern Indian Ocean, while two merchant ships carrying essential goods and livestock feed are headed to southern ports.”

This lifting of the blockade appears to be the result of the U.S. accepting Iran’s demands for preemptive measures ahead of the MOU signing. Previously, on June 13, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Iran had requested the release of frozen funds, sanctions relief, and the lifting of the maritime blockade as preconditions for the MOU signing.

Meanwhile, the United States had imposed a maritime blockade along Iran’s entire coastline starting from April 13. This action was taken in response to the collapse of the first round of ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran on April 12, and following Iran’s announcement that it would take control of the Strait of Hormuz.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.