Strait of Hormuz oil flows rise as US Navy allows ships to Iranian ports, Vance says

US Vice President JD Vance said the US Navy had let more than a dozen ships reach Iranian ports. JD Vance said the move lifted a blockade under a deal meant to end the war. JD Vance told a White House press briefing that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz had increased. JD Vance said more than 12.5 million barrels passed Wednesday night.

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JD Vance argued the steps showed the US was meeting early military parts of the agreement. "So were also honouring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side,\" Vance said. JD Vance presented this as a quick gain from the deal. JD Vance also played down claims that the agreement mostly helps Iran.

Strait of Hormuz oil traffic and ship movements

On Tuesday, two oil tankers left Iran and crossed the US military blockade without being stopped. A merchant shipping tracking website said the ships carried 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil. Iranian state media said shipping had normalised at Iran’s southern ports. Iranian state media added the Strait of Hormuz stayed supervised by the Iranian military.

Iranian state media also said transit through the waterway still needed coordination. Maritime data firm Lloyds List Intelligence said big shipowners had started sending vessels through the strait. Lloyds List Intelligence did not give totals for ships that passed by Thursday. The company said these moves followed the signing of the agreement.

Richard Meade, editor in chief of Lloyds List, described a shift after a long pause. Richard Meade said major company ships were moving for the first time in 110 days. Richard Meade said vessels had been effectively marooned there since February. Tankers linked to Grimaldi Group, Cosco, Knutsen and NYK have transited.

Lloyds List also reported two sanctioned crude oil tankers entering the strait. The tankers were Iran-flagged and owned by National Iranian Tanker Company. Phillip Belcher, marine director of Intertanko, said the central route was still shut. Phillip Belcher estimated about 80 mines needed clearing from that route.

Phillip Belcher said ships were using two smaller corridors instead. One was the Northern route that runs through Iranian waters. The other was the Southern route that runs through Omani waters. These routes allowed some traffic despite the reported closure of the main central channel. The continued risks kept the broader picture uncertain.

Iran deal terms and Strait of Hormuz impact

JD Vance said the agreement aimed for a permanent end to hostilities. The agreement also started a 60-day negotiating clock for a final deal. The talks would focus on the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Donald J. Trump still left open the option of resuming attacks, under the arrangement.

The text appeared to grant Iran benefits early, while requiring limited steps at first. It said Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must be diluted. The dilution would be done under international supervision. The stockpile is believed to be buried under rubble. The agreement also said Iran shall not procure nuclear weapons.

Beyond stating that the US and Iran will negotiate, other details remained unsettled. Many points would restore conditions from before the war. That included halting hostilities and restarting US-Iran nuclear talks. It also included reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The closure had triggered a historic energy crisis worldwide.

JD Vance remarks and Iran deal diplomacy

JD Vance also made comments directed at critics in Israel. JD Vance warned against attacking what JD Vance called the only powerful ally left. JD Vance criticised members of the Israeli government. \"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.\"

JD Vance said there were plans to go to Switzerland for talks on the Iran deal. JD Vance said it was not clear when the trip would happen. JD Vance had been expected to lead work on implementing the agreement. The agenda included diluting enriched uranium and restoring oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

With inputs from PTI