Head of the Strait of Hormuz Negotiation Says It Will Be Managed by Iran

Illustration of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort)

JAKARTA - Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would be managed by Tehran, according to a report by state media on Tuesday, after talks in Switzerland to end the war triggered by the US and Israeli attacks.

Iran and the United States agreed on Monday to establish a communication channel to keep vital shipping lanes open and end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after the first round of talks over the weekend.

"The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war condition and will be managed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law," Ghalibaf said on his return from the site of the talks, according to IRNA, reported Al Arabiya from AFP (23/6).

In a video posted to Ghalibaf's Telegram account, the Iranian Parliament Speaker said talks at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock produced "good achievements."

"In my opinion, this trip has achieved good results, especially regarding discussions on the Strait of Hormuz, discussions on Lebanon, the issue of oil exemptions, and the issue of unfreezing funds," he explained.

Meanwhile, the US temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil on Monday, after Vice President JD Vance said Tehran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return to the country, following the talks.

As part of the deal, Tehran will also get some form of sanctions relief from Washington, as well as the release of assets.

"Of course, we believe that we are still at the beginning of this work and must continue our efforts," Ghalibaf added in the video.

Iranian state media reported Ghalibaf's stop in Oman, which shares the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway, which Iran closed at the start of the war, reopened last week, after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement.

But Tehran announced on Saturday it had closed the strait again in response to Israel's attack on Lebanon.

Since then, Tehran and Washington have agreed to establish a communication channel "to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels" through the waterway, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.

Maritime traffic in the strait continued to flow on Monday at higher speeds than before the US-Iranian deal on talks to end the war, according to tracking firm Refinitiv.