US-Iran MoU Ceasefire | Mojtaba Khamenei’s claim – ‘Trump signed out of compulsion and desperation’, America removed naval blockade
Amidst months of fierce military standoff and fears of war in West Asia (Middle East), a turning point has taken place. The geopolitical rhetoric has intensified just a day after a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the US and Iran to reduce tensions. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump, claiming that the US administration was "desperate" for a peace deal and Trump used "all kinds of tactics" to achieve it. On the other hand, following the terms of the agreement, America has officially lifted its strict naval blockade imposed on Iran.
In his first public comments since the draft agreement was signed, Mojtaba told the Iranian people on Thursday that he initially opposed the deal "in principle" but ultimately approved it after receiving assurances from President Massoud Pezeshkian and members of Iran's Supreme National Security Council that the interests of the country and the "Resistance Front" would be protected. He said, "The officials responsible made great efforts with genuine concern and good faith – and, of course, the US President himself resorted to all kinds of tactics in his desperation to bring this about." On June 18, Trump and Pezeshkian formally signed an agreement aimed at ending months of confrontation and paving the way for broader negotiations. Following the initial signing by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the two leaders virtually signed the document. Approved.
America lifts naval blockade on Iran
J.D. Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships access to Iranian ports, effectively ending the blockade as part of a deal to end the war. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Vance said oil movement through the Strait of Hormuz had resumed. He said that on Wednesday night alone, more than 12.5 million barrels of oil passed through this important sea route. Vance said, "So we are also meeting our responsibilities on the military front in the initial part of the agreement." He rejected criticisms that the deal was too tilted in favor of Iran.
Speaking in stark terms, he also warned critics in Israel not to attack the country's "only remaining powerful ally." Taking aim at members of the Israeli government, Vance said, "Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the world who is sympathetic to the state of Israel right now." The vice president said he plans to visit Switzerland for talks on implementing the Iran deal, although no timeline has been set yet. He was expected to lead negotiations to reduce Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and ensure uninterrupted supplies of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this week, two oil tankers left Iran and passed the US military blockade without being stopped. According to the merchant shipping tracking website, these ships have a total of In total, 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil were loaded.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that shipping activities at the country's southern ports had returned to "normal", although it stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is still under the surveillance and control of the Iranian military, and passage through the waterway still requires coordination. According to maritime data firm 'Lloyd's List Intelligence', after the agreement, major shipping companies have also started sending ships through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the company did not provide figures on the total number of ships passing through the strait as of Thursday. Richard Mead, editor-in-chief of Lloyd's List, said that for the first time in 110 days, ships from major international companies were passing through the strait, whereas they had been effectively stranded since February. Tankers operated by Grimaldi Group, COSCO, Knutsen and NYK already pass through this waterway. Additionally, according to 'Lloyd's List', two Iranian-flagged crude oil tankers owned by 'National Iranian Tanker Company' have also entered the strait; Sanctions are still in effect on this company.
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The full text of the message of Imam Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, addressing the Iranian nation regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the presidents of Iran and America, June 18, 2026 pic.twitter.com/9nSD2NfkVe — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) June 18, 2026