U.S. Ends Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports After Islamabad Deal

The United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports on Friday after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was executed in Versailles, U.S. Central Command announced. The agreement ended the blockade but left the future size of U.S. naval forces in the area undecided.

A U.S. official said on background that the current force posture will remain in place during negotiations, while the final deal is expected to include reductions in regional military forces.

Lincoln continued flight operations in the Arabian Sea as of June 21 after more than seven months at sea. USS George H.W. Bush was last observed on June 20, also in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, on June 16, completing its participation in the Southern Seas 2026 exercise.

The carrier is now on the final portion of a homeport shift to Naval Station Norfolk following a service-life extension into 2027. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower left Norfolk on June 17 for carrier qualifications in the Virginia Capes Operating Area and is not scheduled to deploy this year.

The ship is preparing for a deployment in early 2027.

Roosevelt got underway on June 15 and is conducting strike-group training off the U.S. west coast. Crew members performed firefighting, barricade, and crash-and-salvage drills during the exercises. USS Carl Vinson remained moored at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

Over the weekend the ship served as the centerpiece of NASCAR’s “Race the Base” event at Naval Base Coronado. USS George Washington was in Apra Harbor, Guam, from June 16-20 before taking part in a PHOTOEX that opened exercise Valiant Shield 2026. The carrier operated alongside cruiser USS Robert Smalls, destroyers USS Shoup and USS Benfold, fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force units.