US military announces lifting of blockade on Iranian ports

Published June 18, 2026 Updated June 18, 2026 10:02pm
A US military helicopter lands on an American warship in the Middle East, in this photo released by US Central Command on June 16, 2026. — X/@CENTCOM
A US military helicopter lands on an American warship in the Middle East, in this photo released by US Central Command on June 16, 2026. — X/@CENTCOM

United States Central Command (Centcom) announces it has lifted the blockade on maritime traffic headed to or leaving Iranian ports, on the orders of US President Donald Trump.

“American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased,” Centcom writes on X.

“Our great naval ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.”

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