Iran\u2019s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will no longer operate under its pre-war arrangements and will instead be administered by Iran, state media reported on Tuesday, following the talks between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland aimed at ending hostilities in the region.<\/p>\n
Speaking upon his return from Switzerland, Ghalibaf described the talks as productive and said they yielded progress on several key issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.<\/p>\n
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Ghalibaf said, according to Iranian state media.<\/p>\n
Hormuz to be managed by Iran<\/p>\n
He reiterated the position in a separate statement, saying, \u201cThe Strait of Hormuz will be managed by Iran, in accordance with those laws and under arrangements established by Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n
The remarks came after Iran and the United States agreed to establish communication channels to help maintain safe passage through the strategically important waterway and reduce the risk of military incidents. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world\u2019s most critical shipping routes for oil and gas exports.<\/p>\n
Contribution to the regional economy<\/p>\n
Explaining the new mechanism, Ghalibaf said, \u201cProblems may arise in the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, we agreed to establish a center and a telephone hotline so that, during the 30-day period, if any issues occur, they can be resolved more quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod willing, this will contribute to the prosperity of the regional economy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The talks in Switzerland followed a period of heightened tensions in West Asia and are part of a broader memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at reducing hostilities and creating a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.<\/p>\n
Discussions covered developments in Lebanon<\/p>\n
Ghalibaf said the discussions also covered developments in Lebanon and efforts to prevent further escalation in the region. He claimed that Iran\u2019s participation in the talks helped avoid additional violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cHad we not gone to Switzerland, more blood would have been shed among Muslims and Shias in Lebanon at any moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018We don\u2019t trust Americans\u2019: Ghalibaf<\/p>\n
The Iranian official also emphasised Tehran\u2019s longstanding distrust of Washington, stating, \u201cWe have never trusted the Americans; we don\u2019t trust them now, and it is only reasonable to remain distrustful in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Release of frozen Iranian assets<\/p>\n
Another major outcome of the negotiations, according to Ghalibaf, \u201cRegarding the release of frozen assets, under Clause 11, two separate amounts of $6 billion each were to be released,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe necessary steps had already been taken during the trip to Qatar, but the final signature had to be completed during the Switzerland trip, which has now been done.\u201d<\/p>\n STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADUS temporarily suspends Iran oil sanctions<\/p>\n
\ninvolved the release of frozen Iranian assets and relief from some oil-related sanctions<\/a>.<\/p>\n