US Blockade of Iran Collapses Month-Old De-escalation Deal

The United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports July 14, less than four weeks after signing a June 17 memorandum of understanding requiring immediate blockade removal. The agreement's Point 4 obligated Washington to lift the blockade upon signing. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister declared the MoU invalid July 14. CENTCOM announced the blockade's resumption without a presidential order—contrasting sharply with April's blockade, which bore Trump's explicit public authorization. Both governments now dispute who breached first.