But it remained unclear if the two sides would hold a signing ceremony in Switzerland on June 19. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The U.S. lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel.

Also, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told U.S. lawmakers Thursday in a private briefing that Iran will invite the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites.

The U.S. lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz as a tentative agreement to end the war took effect, and developments moved quickly.

The U.S. Navy on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran’s ports and coastal areas at the direction of President Donald Trump. “American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement on social media. “All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased.” The end of the blockade comes after Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday that aims to end the U.S.-Iran war. Under the agreement, Iran is obligated to allow commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without paying tolls for 60 days. Vice President JD Vance told reporters earlier Thursday that Iran has not fired on ships in Hormuz for two consecutive nights. “So far they are honoring their end of the commitment,” Vance said. The vice president said more than 12 million barrels of oil transited Hormuz overnight. CNBC could not immediately verify that number. Three Saudi tankers carrying around 6 million barrels have crossed the…