US Restarts Iran Blockade Within Weeks of De-escalation Deal

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