US allows more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting blockade under deal, Vance says

AP via Yahoo ^ | June 18th, 2026 | WILL WEISSERT and SEUNG MIN KIM

[Mariner]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war.

Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Republican vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels went through the shipping channel Wednesday night.

"So we're also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side," Vance said, citing it as an immediate benefit of the deal as he downplayed criticism that the agreement tilts in favor of Iran.

And in an extraordinary rebuke, he warned U.S. critics in Israel against "attacking the only powerful ally" it has left. He lashed out at members of the Israeli government, warning them that "Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time."

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: armchairadmirals; armchairgeneralsoffr; foreigntrollsonfr; habitualcomplainers; habitualcomplaining; iran; mou

[Mariner]

Israel is the only reliable ally the US has on the Eurasian continent.

But it looks like we're gonna sh!t on them anyway.

Next we demand their withdrawal from Lebanon.

[Starboard]

"So we're also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side," Vance said

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He says that like he's anticipating some kind of quick and honorable reciprocity from Iran. He's about to find out that it doesn't work that way with them.

[grobdriver]

How many of them were carrying weapons, weapon systems and/or components of war? I’m sure no one knows.

[bray]

You really think we don’t have eyes in the sky over any country that sells weapons?Either Trump or you are a moron and Trump is a genius.

[sunny bonobo]

total defeat and utter humiliation for Trump and America! Hello to demonrat house and senate and impeachment. Trump’s own fault.

[Midwesterner53]

And we are crowing about lifting the blockade? I have lost a lot of respect for Vance.