US President Donald Trump has authorised the “immediate removal” of the US naval blockade affecting Iran after Washington and Tehran reached a tentative framework to end hostilities linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, including Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
The blockade was imposed on 13 April 2026, focusing on Iranian ports and shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, in an effort to increase pressure on Tehran to reopen the vital oil corridor after peace talks broke down.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
In a statement, Trump said: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.”
The two sides are expected to sign the agreement in Switzerland on 19 June, 2026. Officials familiar with the talks said the pact would extend a ceasefire for 60 days, during which negotiators would work on the terms of a final settlement.
Neither government has released the text so far, with officials of both Iranian and US reportedly saying that the document will not be made public until it is signed.
Meanwhile, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, called the framework a favourable result for Iran as he confirmed the end of military operations in a phone interview broadcast on Iranian state television.
Pakistan, which has played a mediating role, also pointed to a broader scope for the deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X that the agreement called for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
In response to the agreement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement saying that war and military actions on all fronts, including Lebanon, would end permanently starting 15 June night.
Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not pull back from territory it currently holds in Lebanon.
Israeli newspaper Hareetz quoted Katz as saying that “the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza – indefinitely – to defend the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements.”
The announcement follows recent military activity in the region.
Last week, US Central Command said it carried out what it described as self-defence strikes against Iran after a US Army Apache helicopter was shot down.
Last week, three Indian sailors have been killed in strikes on at least three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz this week, as the UK doubles down on its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
