US Lifts Iran Blockade, Hormuz Flow Recovers
The US Navy has lifted its blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas at the direction of President Donald Trump. US Central Command stated that American forces are no longer obstructing ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, and all military enforcement efforts have ceased.
The lifting of the blockade comes after Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to end the US-Iran war. Under the deal, Iran was obligated to allow commercial vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge for 60 days.
Vice President J.D. Vance said Iran had not fired on ships in Hormuz for two consecutive nights, which was seen as an early sign that Tehran was upholding its commitments. Vance also said that more than 12 million barrels of oil passed through Hormuz overnight, although the figures could not be independently verified.
Before the war began on February 28, approximately 14 million barrels per day of oil and 6 million barrels per day of refined products passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway was nearly closed after Iran attacked ships in the region, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history.
Trade intelligence firm Kpler estimates that oil flows through Hormuz could return to nearly 50% of pre-war levels within 30 days if the US-Iran deal proceeds smoothly. However, a full recovery remains unclear, as the normalization of shipping traffic is expected to be gradual.
For the energy market, the lifting of the US blockade is a positive sign for global supply. However, its impact on oil prices remains dependent on the speed of export recovery, the security of shipping lanes, and Iran's compliance over the 60-day period. The market's next focus will be on the actual volume of ships passing through Hormuz and whether energy flows can return to near pre-war levels.
Source: Newsmaker.id
