American forces on Thursday lifted their naval blockade of Iranian ports after more than two months of preventing ships from sailing from or to Iran, the US military said. "Today, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas," US Central Command said in a post on X, adding that American warships "will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to." The move came after US President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict. The signing of the deal by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian set in motion a 60-day period for talks on wider issues between the two foes, including the Iranian nuclear program. The US military, which had enforced its own blockade after Iran shut the Strait at the start of the war, has allowed at least 12 ships to pass through, Vice President JD Vance said. Before the war, the strait saw around 120 transits per day, according to the shipping journal Lloyd's List. Vance said he planned to go to Switzerland for "technical negotiations" with Iran "this weekend" rather than Friday, but emphasized that the plan "could change.” In Iran, the Tasnim agency said "nothing has been confirmed" about the Iranian delegation's trip to Switzerland.
