US blockade of Iranian ports it stay ‘pending execution’ of Strait of Hormuz ceasefire deal

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The U.S. blockade of vessels going to or coming from Iranian ports is still in place “pending execution” of a ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran set to be signed Friday, according to a U.S. military advisory to merchant ships.

“A military blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect restricting all traffic inbound and outbound from these ports,” the Monday notice states, as reported by Reuters. “Do not attempt to cross until explicit direction is given.”

The advisory also told ship captains to consider “the health and safety of their crews,” warning them that failure to comply with directions “may result in rapid escalation to disabling or destructive fire.”

The U.S. on Sunday announced it had reached a preliminary agreement with Iran that it said would open the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump declaring that passage through the vital shipping lane would be “permanently toll free” and that “ships are starting to move” through the waterway.

Trump announced the deal on his 80th birthday ahead of several UFC fights on the White House lawn, characterizing the agreement as a final deal of sorts.

Trump and Vice President Vance electronically signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran on Sunday, the details of which will be released Tuesday or Wednesday, senior U.S. officials told reporters Monday.

But that agreement is only the first step in ending the war, with “real technical discussions” to be led by Vance later this week, followed by an expected physical document to be signed Friday in Geneva.

In ending the on-again, off-again war with Iran, the deal could finally reopen the Strait of Hormuz, closed effectively since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran began in late February. In response, Washington declared a blockade on all Iranian ports and has disabled several vessels it claims were attempting to sidestep it.

But the latest deal, while intended to lessen a global energy crisis, still shifts the issue that first triggered the conflict — Iran’s nuclear program — to further negotiations over the next 60 days.

The U.S. will maintain its current force posture in the region during the 60-day negotiation period, the U.S. officials said.

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