Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by the Islamic Republic and will never revert to its pre-war status, following the first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland. The statement, carried by state media, came as both sides agreed to establish a direct communication line and coordination centre to prevent incidents in the strategic waterway, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments. According to Iranian and US officials, the hotline is designed to allow vessels to seek clarification on navigational matters and to resolve misunderstandings swiftly, with Tehran insisting that international maritime regulations will be observed under its new administrative framework.

Viewed from Tehran, the arrangement represents a consolidation of battlefield gains through diplomacy. Ghalibaf, who also serves as parliament speaker, described the negotiations as a “continuation of the struggle” and said the lifting of the US naval blockade and the temporary suspension of sanctions on oil, petrochemicals, banking, and transport were achieved through a combination of hard and soft power. He confirmed that an agreement to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets had been finalised. Washington’s position, articulated by President Donald Trump, holds that the United States retains “total control” of the strait and that sanctions relief is conditional on Iranian compliance, with enforcement measures threatened if Tehran fails to adhere to commitments. Vice President J.D. Vance said the talks had created a “good foundation for a successful final deal,” and US officials noted that Iran would permit UN nuclear inspectors to return.

Gulf Arab states, however, view the emerging framework with alarm. Diplomats in the region have expressed concern that the interim deal, signed last week, includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran and omits any requirement for Tehran to dismantle its ballistic missile programme. These states, several of which host US military bases and were targeted by Iranian drones and missiles during the conflict, fear the economic lifeline will enable Iran to rearm. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on an urgent tour of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain to brief the Gulf Cooperation Council and reassure allies, while Iran’s delegation travelled to Oman to coordinate joint management of strait traffic.

The interim agreement, brokered with Qatari and Pakistani mediation, sets a 60-day deadline for a comprehensive settlement covering the nuclear file, Lebanon, and the future security architecture of the Gulf. Technical negotiations are to begin immediately under a high-level committee. The strait, which Iran had closed at the war’s outset and briefly shut again on Saturday in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, has seen increased maritime traffic since the deal, though the precise division of authority over its administration remains contested. The next round of talks is expected to address the sequencing of sanctions relief and the integration of the Lebanon ceasefire mechanism.