US lifts naval blockade as Iran's supreme leader says Trump made deal 'out of desperation'

Key Points:

• The US has ended its naval blockade of Iran following a signed deal to end the Middle East war, with some US vessels remaining in the general area, according to US Central Command.
• Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the deal despite reservations, after assurances from Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to protect Iranian rights, and indicated future negotiations with the US will not imply acceptance of adversarial positions.
• The agreement includes 14 core points such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and establishing a $300bn fund for Iran's reconstruction, with a 60-day deadline for a final deal.
• US Vice-President JD Vance defended the deal, emphasizing Iran must meet obligations like destroying enriched uranium stockpiles and ceasing proxy funding before receiving any financial benefits or sanctions relief.
• The deal has faced criticism from some US Republicans and Israeli officials, though Vance urged Israeli critics to reconsider, stressing the importance of US-Israel relations and cautioning against undermining the alliance.