Iran Insists on Control of Hormuz After Swiss Talks

Iran and US Discuss Hormuz Administration in Switzerland Talks

Tehran stated on Tuesday its position that the Islamic Republic of Iran would administer the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law. The statement came after technical talks concluded in Switzerland between Iranian and US negotiators.

Vice President JD Vance described the negotiations as providing a "very good foundation" for a final agreement. He noted that Washington had suspended sanctions on Iranian oil. Outstanding issues include Iran's nuclear program and arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant share of global oil shipments.

Iranian state media reported that working groups would be established on nuclear matters and sanctions relief. The Strait of Hormuz had been closed by Iran on February 28, 2026, following a US naval blockade and attacks on shipping during the 2026 crisis. It reopened last week under the initial Switzerland agreement but was closed again on Saturday in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait would not return to pre-war conditions and would be administered by Iran according to international law. US President Donald Trump had called for unconditional reopening to marine traffic.

The two sides agreed to establish a communication channel aimed at preventing incidents and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels, according to Qatari and Pakistani mediators. As part of the arrangement, Washington agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian funds, Iranian state media reported. The US Treasury confirmed a temporary lifting of sanctions allowing Iran to produce, sell, and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21.

Vance stated that any unfrozen assets would be used for purchases such as US soybeans and would not support terrorism. Iran has faced asset freezes and sanctions from the United States and other Western countries since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The current round of talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, seeks a final document within a renewable 60-day period. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to travel to Pakistan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans visits to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain to address the agreement and transit through the strait.

Mediators described progress including the contact channel for the waterway. Vance indicated Iran would permit return of UN nuclear inspectors. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said only a brief discussion occurred on nuclear issues without details.

Inspections under the 2015 agreement, which the United States withdrew from in 2018, were suspended by Iran after Israeli-American bombings of its facilities in June 2025. IAEA inspectors have not visited the affected sites since, leaving questions about Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium.

Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons while asserting its right to a civilian nuclear fuel cycle. Discussions also covered Lebanon, where a conflict management cell is planned to address fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that began in early March.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reported a call from Vance on consolidating a ceasefire, halting Israeli escalation, and possible formation of such a cell. Lebanese authorities have reported more than 4,100 deaths and over a million displaced from the offensive, which Israel has described as intended to prevent Hezbollah attacks.

The negotiations follow earlier statements from mediators that a roadmap toward a final deal had been reached. Oil prices declined on the initial signs of diplomatic movement.