U.S. Lifts Naval Blockade on Iran as 60-Day Peace Negotiations Begin

The United States has officially lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports, marking the first major concession in a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the months-long war between Washington and Tehran. U.S. Central Command confirmed that over a dozen commercial ships have already been permitted to pass through the previously restricted zones.[2][6]

The lifting of the blockade triggers a 60-day negotiation window, during which American and Iranian diplomats will meet in Switzerland to hammer out a permanent peace treaty. In exchange for the U.S. standing down its naval forces, Iran has ceased firing on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the critical global energy artery to reopen to commercial traffic.[6][8]

Vice President JD Vance confirmed the start of the 60-day window during a White House press briefing on Thursday, stating that both sides are currently honoring the early phases of the agreement. However, Vance spent the majority of his time at the podium fiercely defending the MoU against mounting criticism from U.S. allies and domestic lawmakers.[1][6]

The most severe pushback has come from Israel, where hardline members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet have publicly condemned the deal. Israeli officials argue the agreement leaves Tehran's nuclear infrastructure intact and prematurely rewards the regime with sanctions relief and maritime access.[4][5]

In a sharp and unusually public rebuke of Washington's closest Middle Eastern ally, Vance lashed out at the Israeli cabinet members. He warned Israeli leaders that they are deeply isolated internationally and need to "wake up and smell the reality" of their geopolitical situation.[1][4]

Vance asserted that President Donald Trump is the "only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time." He further reminded the Israeli government that U.S. taxpayers had funded two-thirds of the defensive weapons used to protect Israel over the last three months of the conflict.[1][5]

While Netanyahu has refrained from openly criticizing Trump, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other ultranationalist Israeli leaders have declared that Israel is not bound by the U.S.-Iran agreement and will not cave to international pressure regarding its own security operations.[4][5]

Domestically, the Trump administration is also facing resistance from Republican hawks in the Senate. Critics argue the MoU grants Iran immediate economic relief—including waivers for crude oil exports—without forcing the immediate surrender of its highly enriched uranium stockpiles or dismantling its ballistic missile program.[7][8]

The administration's defense of the deal has also faced factual scrutiny. The New York Times reported that Vance's claims regarding the economic terms of the deal were misleading, noting that his assertion that Iran received no new benefits from the lifting of oil sanctions contradicts the immediate resumption of maritime traffic and oil sales outlined in the MoU.[3]

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have welcomed the start of the 60-day window. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that their primary goal is to finalize the lifting of what they termed "unjust sanctions" as quickly as possible, ideally within the first 30 days of the negotiation period.[2][8]

The coming weeks will test whether the fragile MoU can hold under immense political pressure. The U.S. delegation, which Vance plans to lead, will demand that the Strait of Hormuz remain toll-free permanently, while Iran has already signaled that its ballistic missile program is not up for negotiation.[6][7]