The U.S. Navy's amphibious assault ship 'USS Tripoli (LHA 7)', which participated in the maritime blockade of Iran, navigates the Arabian Sea, while a naval officer supervises flight operations from the control tower. [Reuters Yonhap News Agency photo]

The United States has lifted its maritime blockade on Iranian ports, AFP reported on the 16th (local time), citing remarks from Iran's deputy foreign minister.

According to the Iranian government's website, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, stated, "The two-month U.S. maritime blockade on Iranian ports has been lifted ahead of the official signing ceremony of the peace agreement scheduled for the 19th."

He added, "The lifting of the blockade is an issue we have continuously emphasized since the beginning of (peace negotiations)," and "The lifting measures have already begun."

The United States initiated the maritime blockade on Iranian ports on April 13.

At the time, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he would block merchant ships traveling along Iran's coastline and to its ports from the Gulf of Oman, after peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, broke down and Iran did not release its control over the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel's attack on Lebanon.