Iran on Tuesday insisted it would maintain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, as a fresh round of negotiations with the United States concluded in Switzerland without resolving key disputes.
The talks, which followed high-level meetings between Washington and Tehran, ended with both sides agreeing to establish working groups on nuclear issues and sanctions, according to Iranian state media.
Speaking after the negotiations, US Vice President JD Vance described the discussions as a “very good foundation” for a final agreement aimed at ending the conflict. He also noted that Washington had temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil.
However, major issues remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear programme and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
US President Donald Trump has demanded the unconditional reopening of the waterway to international shipping, but Tehran rejected the call.
“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 on Tuesday, according to state media.
Although the strait was reopened last week following an initial understanding between Washington and Tehran, Iran announced on Saturday that it had once again closed the route in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
To prevent further escalation, Iran and the United States have agreed to establish a direct communication channel aimed at avoiding incidents and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the waterway. Qatar and Pakistan are serving as mediators in the negotiations.
As part of the emerging agreement, Iranian state media reported that Washington had agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian funds and temporarily suspend sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
The US Treasury confirmed that sanctions would be eased through August 21, allowing Iran to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products during the period.
Vance, however, said the Iranian assets had not yet been released and stressed that any funds eventually unfrozen would be used to purchase American goods rather than support militant activities.
The latest diplomatic efforts have raised hopes of a broader settlement, helping to ease concerns in global energy markets and contributing to a decline in oil prices.
Negotiators are now working toward a comprehensive agreement within a renewable 60-day timeframe. Diplomatic engagements are expected to continue, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian scheduled to visit Pakistan following the Switzerland talks.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to discuss the negotiations and efforts to guarantee unrestricted commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan said both sides had agreed on a roadmap toward a final deal and described the progress made so far as encouraging.
On the nuclear issue, Vance said Iran had agreed to allow United Nations inspectors to return. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei downplayed the claim, saying only a brief discussion had taken place and that no detailed agreement had been reached.
Iran suspended cooperation with inspectors after Israeli-American strikes on its nuclear facilities in June 2025. Since then, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have not been allowed access to the affected sites.
Tehran continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.
The talks also touched on the conflict in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in escalating hostilities. Negotiators agreed to establish a conflict-management mechanism aimed at supporting ceasefire efforts and reducing tensions.
According to Lebanese authorities, the fighting has killed more than 4,100 people and displaced over one million others.
Source: AFP
