Washington: The United States has lifted its maritime blockade on Iranian ports and coastal waters following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran, marking a major step toward easing tensions between the two countries.
According to reports, US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of restrictions on vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports after the agreement was signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the agreement, Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States committed to ending its naval blockade in the region.
Commenting on the development, Trump said financial markets had reacted positively to the agreement. He noted that oil prices had fallen significantly while stock markets had gained strength following the announcement.
“We hope to see a complete ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel,” Trump said.
The conflict began after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for oil and gas shipments.
Following the closure, the US military imposed a blockade around the strategic waterway, further disrupting commercial shipping and energy supplies.
With the signing of the MoU, the blockade has now been lifted after 66 days, allowing maritime traffic to resume and easing pressure on global energy markets.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is expected to improve the flow of crude oil exports and reduce concerns over supply disruptions that had affected international markets during the conflict.
