Tehran insisted the Strait of Hormuz would operate under a new framework shaped by Iranian security arrangements
Fresh differences have emerged between the United States and Iran over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement despite progress in ongoing negotiations.
The latest round of US-Iran talks concluded in Switzerland on Monday with both sides agreeing to pursue a roadmap aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement within 60 days. However, statements from senior Iranian officials suggest Tehran’s vision for the post-conflict order differs significantly from Washington’s.
Iran rejects return to pre-war Hormuz
Speaking while returning from negotiations in Switzerland, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that the Strait of Hormuz would never return to its pre-war status.
“I was among the first to say clearly at the start of the war, everyone should know that management of the Strait of Hormuz will never return to the way it was before the war,” Ghalibaf said.
He added that the strategic waterway would operate under what he described as “Iranian arrangements” and reiterated Tehran’s longstanding distrust of the United States.
“Iran has never trusted the Americans and never will,” he said.
Hotline mechanism agreed
Despite the tough rhetoric, Iran confirmed that both sides had agreed to establish a direct communication mechanism to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Ghalibaf, Tehran and Washington will create a telephone hotline and coordination centre that ships can contact in case of navigational disputes, misunderstandings or operational concerns while transiting the waterway.
He said Iran would continue enforcing international maritime regulations and would move quickly to address any incidents involving commercial vessels.
Trump insists US has ‘total control’
The Iranian remarks came after US President Donald Trump asserted that Washington remains firmly in control of the strategically vital shipping route.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States had ensured the strait remained open through its naval presence.
“We have total control of the Strait. We have a navy, there was a blockade, which was more effective than dropping bombs. We’re doing very well with respect to the Hormuz Strait,” Trump said.
The contrasting statements highlight differing interpretations of the evolving security architecture in the Gulf following months of conflict and instability.
Roadmap for broader agreement
The talks in Switzerland produced an agreement to launch immediate technical negotiations and establish a high-level committee to oversee efforts toward a final settlement.
A joint statement issued after the discussions also announced the creation of a de-confliction mechanism involving Lebanon to help prevent renewed military escalation and support the fragile ceasefire process.
US Vice President JD Vance described the negotiations as laying a “good foundation” for a future agreement and suggested Washington could consider limited economic measures, including the release of certain Iranian assets, as part of broader confidence-building efforts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later claimed that restrictions on oil and petrochemical exports had been eased, a blockade had been lifted and some frozen assets were being released to support reconstruction and development.
However, the joint statement released after the talks did not explicitly mention asset releases, leaving uncertainty over the scope of any economic concessions that may ultimately form part of a final deal.
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