Iran has reaffirmed its intention to maintain control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz following the conclusion of technical negotiations with the United States in Switzerland, even as both sides continue efforts to reach a broader agreement aimed at ending tensions in the region.
The development comes after US Vice President JD Vance described the recent negotiations as a “very good foundation” for a final settlement, while noting that Washington had suspended sanctions on Iranian oil as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Despite progress in talks, major issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.
Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that technical discussions between both countries had ended, with working groups expected to be established to address sanctions and nuclear-related matters.
However, Tehran made it clear that it would not relinquish authority over the vital waterway.
“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,” Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said, according to state media reports.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, briefly reopened after an agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran last week. However, Iran announced on Saturday that it had closed the route again in response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan said both countries had agreed to establish a communication channel designed to prevent misunderstandings and ensure safer passage for commercial vessels using the waterway.
Iranian state media also reported that Washington had agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets and temporarily ease restrictions on the country’s oil exports.
The US Treasury confirmed that sanctions relief would allow Iran to produce, sell and transport crude oil and related products until August 21.
However, Vance stressed that the assets had not yet been released and maintained that any funds eventually made available would be directed toward legitimate commercial activities rather than militant operations.
Iran has faced decades of economic sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the United States and several Western countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
The latest negotiations have boosted hopes for a longer-term settlement between both countries and contributed to a decline in global oil prices.
Pakistan and Qatar, which are helping facilitate the discussions, said negotiators had agreed on a roadmap aimed at producing a final agreement within a renewable 60-day timeframe.
“Encouraging progress has been made,” the mediators said, noting that a direct communication mechanism had already been established to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.
Diplomatic activity is expected to continue in the coming days. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Pakistan following the Swiss talks, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to tour the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to discuss the evolving agreement and regional security concerns.
Vance also indicated that Iran had agreed to allow United Nations nuclear inspectors to return to the country. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei suggested that nuclear discussions remained limited.
“a very brief discussion took place regarding the nuclear issue, but there was no discussion of details.”
The inspections, originally established under the 2015 nuclear agreement, were suspended after Iranian nuclear facilities were targeted during Israeli-American military operations in June 2025.
Since then, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have not been granted access to the affected sites, leaving uncertainty over the status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons while insisting on its right to maintain a civilian nuclear energy programme.
The negotiations have also expanded to include developments in Lebanon, where Iran sought discussions on the conflict involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
According to reports, a conflict-management mechanism may be established to help de-escalate fighting in Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that he recently discussed ceasefire efforts and possible conflict-management arrangements with Vance.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has reportedly resulted in more than 4,100 deaths and displaced over one million people, according to official figures.
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