US Lifts Naval Blockade as Iran-US Peace Deal Nears Signing

ISLAMABAD: An Iranian foreign ministry official says the two-month US naval blockade on Iranian ports has been lifted ahead of the planned formal signing of a deal ending the war,

“The lifting of the blockade was something we had emphasised from the outset. It has now begun, and the blockade has been lifted prior to the formal signing” scheduled for Friday, says Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to the Iranian government’s website.

The US will allow Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel under the memorandum of understanding the two sides have reached to end the Middle East war, Reuters reports citing The Wall Street Journal, which cites people familiar with the agreement.

The son of the ousted shah of Iran has spoken out against any deal with Iran that leaves the Islamic government in place, as Washington prepares to sign an agreement with Tehran.

Speaking after meeting MPs during a visit to London, 65-year-old Reza Pahlavi says the international community should back opposition protesters rather than making peace with Iran.

“Dealing with this regime will fail and we will all face the consequences,” he declares in a social media post. “The regime’s 47-year war against the Iranian people continues. Just as it has never made peace with its own citizens, it will never truly make peace with the world.

“Any agreement that preserves this regime or its remnants will fail. The Iranian people will not accept it,” Pahlavi warns. “With or without international support, the people of Iran will overthrow this regime. Freedom will come to Iran.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, have affirmed their two countries’ commitment to uphold international law regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports citing the Oman News Agency.

As the US and Iran prepare to sign a memorandum of understanding later this week, “the two ministers renewed their countries’ commitment to the rules of international law regarding the safe and free passage of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz”, the agency reports.

During the phone call, the two leaders have expressed “their hope that the upcoming phase will witness serious and diligent efforts from all parties to ensure a supportive and sustainable environment for an effective and constructive political and diplomatic path, thereby preserving the region’s security and stability”.