Iran's Top Negotiator Reasserts Tehran's Authority Over Strategically Vital Strait Of Hormuz

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be administered by Tehran under international law, following the first round of talks between Iran and the United States aimed at reducing tensions and ending the conflict that has gripped West Asia. His remarks came after negotiations in Switzerland that also addressed regional security issues, energy exports and maritime stability.

According to Iranian state media, Ghalibaf made the comments upon returning from the talks, which were held at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock. He stated that the strategic waterway would not return to what he described as its "pre-war conditions" and emphasised that Iran would continue to oversee the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international legal frameworks.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, serving as a key route for global oil and natural gas shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage can have significant consequences for international energy markets, making its status a central issue in ongoing diplomatic discussions between regional and global powers.

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Iran and the United States agreed on Monday to establish communication channels aimed at ensuring the continued operation of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and supporting efforts to end hostilities in Lebanon, according to mediators involved in the negotiations. The discussions marked the first formal round of talks between the two sides since the recent escalation of tensions in the region.

In a video shared on his Telegram account, Ghalibaf described the negotiations as productive and said they had delivered several positive outcomes. He highlighted progress on issues including the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, discussions related to Lebanon, the recently announced oil sales waiver and efforts concerning the release of frozen Iranian funds.

While both sides have described the initial talks as constructive, several key issues remain unresolved. Negotiators are expected to continue discussions in the coming weeks as they seek to establish a broader framework for regional stability, secure maritime trade routes and address longstanding disputes over sanctions, energy exports and security arrangements across West Asia.

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