Washington: US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that the US Navy had allowed more than a dozen vessels to pass through an Iranian port as part of a reported agreement that included the easing of a maritime blockade.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Vance said oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had increased following the arrangement. He claimed that more than 12.5 million barrels of oil moved through the strategic waterway on Wednesday night, describing it as the highest level of supply since tensions escalated at the end of February.
According to Vance, the United States is fulfilling its commitments during the initial phase of the agreement. He also said he plans to travel to Switzerland for discussions related to the reported deal, although no timeline for the visit has been announced.
Vance further stated that two oil tankers departed Iran on Tuesday and crossed what he described as a US military blockade.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that shipping activity at the country’s southern ports had returned to normal. However, it added that the Strait of Hormuz remains under monitoring and is still under the control of Iranian military authorities.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and natural gas supplies. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway has the potential to affect international energy markets and global supply chains.
