Iran moved to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz after talks aimed at halting the US-Israeli war on the Islamic republic, with chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declaring that Tehran would administer the strategic waterway, according to state media.
After their first round of negotiations in Switzerland, Iran and the US agreed yesterday to establish communication channels to help keep the crucial shipping lane open and to bring an end to fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, in a diplomatic push to contain a conflict that has spread across the Middle East.
“The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war conditions and will be administered by the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law,” Mr Ghalibaf said after returning from the talks, IRNA reported.
In a video shared on Mr Ghalibaf’s Telegram account, he described the negotiations at the luxury Swiss resort of Burgenstock as having delivered “good achievements”.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Switzerland talks “had good achievements”
The United States temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil after Vice President JD Vance said Tehran would permit UN nuclear inspectors to re-enter the country following the talks.
Under the agreement, Tehran is also expected to receive some degree of sanctions relief from Washington, along with the unfreezing of assets.
“Of course, we believe we are still at the beginning of this work and must continue our efforts,” Mr Ghalibaf said in the video.
Iranian state media also reported that Mr Ghalibaf stopped in Oman, which borders the Strait of Hormuz.
US Vice President JD Vance said Iran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return to the country
The waterway, which Iran shut at the outset of the war, reopened last week after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement.
But on Saturday, Tehran said it had closed the strait once more in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Since then, Iran and the US have agreed to create a communication line “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels” through the waterway, Qatari and Pakistani mediators said.
Shipping through the strait continued yesterday at a quicker pace than before the US-Iranian agreement to begin talks on ending the war, according to tracking firms.
