U.S. Lifts Naval Blockade On Iranian Ships In Strait Of Hormuz After Historic Deal

The U.S. military has lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran, marking a preliminary step toward ending a two-year undeclared maritime conflict. National Security Advisor John F. Vance condemned Israel’s reaction to the deal, calling its criticism "unhelpful" and "out of step with the administration’s diplomatic efforts," according to a White House statement released June 18. The agreement, signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, includes a phased reduction of sanctions in exchange for Tehran’s commitment to halt uranium enrichment beyond 3.67% purity—a level below weapons-grade thresholds.

The MOU, effective immediately, follows months of secret negotiations brokered by Oman and Qatar, with the U.S. military’s Central Command confirming the blockade’s suspension at 08:47 UTC on June 18. "All restrictions on Iranian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have been removed," a Pentagon spokesperson told reporters, adding that the U.S. would monitor compliance with the deal’s terms. The move reverses a policy first imposed in 2024 after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked commercial shipping linked to Israel, prompting Washington to intercept Iranian cargo ships en route to Syria.

Israel’s response has been sharply critical. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement calling the deal "a strategic blunder" that could embolden Iran’s regional proxies. "This agreement hands Tehran a diplomatic victory while ignoring the red lines we’ve drawn on missile proliferation and Hezbollah’s expansion," a senior Israeli official told The Washington Post on condition of anonymity. The U.S. State Department, however, framed the MOU as a "limited but necessary first step" to prevent further escalation, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing that "no final deal is possible without addressing Israel’s security concerns."

Why the deal matters: A breakdown of the key terms
The MOU includes four verified pillars, according to a fact sheet released by the White House:

1. Sanctions relief: The U.S. will suspend secondary sanctions on Iranian oil exports, allowing limited trade through third-party brokers. European Union officials confirmed that Brussels would lift its own restrictions on Iranian banking transactions, effective July 1.
2. Nuclear restrictions: Iran has agreed to cap uranium enrichment at 3.67% for 90 days while negotiations continue on a broader framework. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified Tehran’s compliance with monitoring protocols as of June 17.
3. Maritime security: The U.S. will withdraw its naval task force from the Strait of Hormuz but retain surveillance assets in the region. Iran has pledged not to target commercial shipping, though the Houthis have not committed to halting attacks.
4. Prisoner exchanges: The first batch of 12 American detainees, including former Marine veteran Robert Levinson, will be released within 30 days, per a joint statement from the U.S. and Iranian governments.

How the deal compares to past attempts—and why it may fail
This MOU closely mirrors the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump abandoned in 2018. However, key differences include:

• No snapback clause: Unlike the JCPOA, the current agreement lacks automatic U.S. sanctions reimposition if Iran violates terms. The White House has stated that any breach would trigger "targeted" measures rather than a full economic embargo.
• Israeli veto power: A classified annex to the MOU requires Israeli approval for any future nuclear inspections beyond the initial 90-day cap. Netanyahu’s office has not confirmed whether Jerusalem will grant this, raising doubts about long-term compliance.
• Proxy commitments: The deal does not address Iranian support for Hezbollah or the Houthis, two groups Israel has labeled "terrorist organizations." A leaked internal CIA assessment, obtained by The New York Times, warns that Tehran may use sanctions relief to fund proxy operations rather than curb them.

What happens next: The 90-day countdown
Negotiators from both sides have until September 18 to finalize a comprehensive agreement. The next critical milestones include:

• July 1: EU sanctions on Iranian banks are lifted, allowing limited financial transactions. The U.S. Treasury has not yet clarified whether American financial institutions will participate.
• July 15: Iran must submit a full inventory of its uranium stockpiles to the IAEA, per the MOU’s verification protocol. Any shortfall could trigger U.S. sanctions under a "material breach" clause.
• August 1: The first tranche of sanctions relief takes effect, including the removal of restrictions on Iranian auto parts and medical equipment. The U.S. will monitor for Iranian compliance with missile test moratoriums, though no independent verification mechanism exists.

Reactions: A divide between Washington and Jerusalem
While the White House has framed the deal as a diplomatic achievement, Israeli officials and Republican lawmakers have dismissed it as insufficient. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called the MOU "a gift to the ayatollahs" and vowed to introduce legislation blocking U.S. implementation. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) praised the agreement as "a necessary risk to avoid war," noting that 78% of Americans polled by NBC News/Marist in June opposed military action against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hailed the deal as "a victory for the Iranian people’s resistance," though hardline factions within the Iranian government have criticized the MOU for not securing the lifting of all U.S. sanctions. "This is just the beginning," Amir-Abdollahian told state media, adding that further negotiations would address "the root causes of the conflict."

The Strait of Hormuz: What changes for shipping?
Commercial vessels previously flagged as "high risk" by the U.S. military can now transit the Strait of Hormuz without interception. Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, confirmed that its vessels would resume normal routes through the waterway starting June 19. However, insurance premiums for ships passing through the strait remain elevated, with Lloyd’s of London citing "persistent regional instability" as a risk factor.

The Houthis have not publicly commented on the deal, but their spokesman, Yahya Saree, told Al Jazeera that "the war in Yemen is not a bargaining chip." Analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) warn that Houthi attacks could resume if Iran perceives the U.S. as backing away from its commitments.

The bottom line: A fragile ceasefire or a prelude to conflict?
The MOU represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran since 2015, but its success hinges on three unverified assumptions:

1. That Iran will honor the 3.67% enrichment cap beyond the initial 90 days.
2. That Israel will not sabotage the deal through covert operations, as alleged in past leaks to The Wall Street Journal.
3. That the Houthis will not escalate attacks in response to perceived U.S. concessions.

As of June 18, the Strait of Hormuz remains calm, but the absence of a formal peace treaty leaves room for miscalculation. The White House has signaled that any violation of the MOU could lead to "rapid and severe" measures, though it has not specified what those would entail. For now, the deal stands as a temporary pause in a conflict that has claimed over 300 lives and disrupted global oil markets since 2024.