Tehran says US has begun lifting naval blockade on Iran

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran has confirmed the United States has begun lifting its naval blockade on Iran, describing the process as entering its practical phase.

“The lifting of the naval blockade against Iran has begun and has moved into the practical phase,” the ISNA news agency quoted the senior diplomat as saying.

The announcement comes after reports of a U.S.-Iran agreement reached on June 15, following which U.S. President Donald Trump said he had authorised the lifting of the American naval blockade.

According to Iranian state media outlet Press TV, citing maritime sources, three Iranian oil tankers and two vessels carrying essential goods reportedly passed through international waters after the agreement was reached to lift the blockade.

By Sabina Mammadli