Iran says it will administer Strait of Hormuz amid US negotiations

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, declared that Iran will administer the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, rejecting US President Donald Trump's assertion that Washington controls it. The claim comes as both countries conclude a first round of high-level talks in Switzerland aimed at a permanent end to hostilities.

Strait of Hormuz

"All must know that the administration of the Strait of Hormuz will never return to what it was before the war," Qalibaf said, according to state news agency IRNA. He added that international norms will be respected but Iran will manage the waterway. Trump countered: "We have total control of the strait; we have a navy capable of imposing a blockade" Source: Infobae. The US also temporarily suspended oil sanctions on Iran for two months, allowing petroleum transactions until August 21 Source: Hoydo.

Negotiations

After 18 hours of discussions at Burgenstock, Switzerland, the parties agreed to establish four working groups on sanctions relief, nuclear issues, reconstruction, and monitoring Source: Hoydo. US Vice President JD Vance praised the talks as laying "very good foundations for a final successful agreement" Source: Hoydo. Iran confirmed the technical talks concluded and negotiations will continue in working groups Source: Emol.

Points of Disagreement

Vance claimed Iran accepted the return of IAEA inspectors, but Tehran denied this Source: Hoydo. Iran demands the inclusion of Lebanon in any final pact, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon Source: Emol. Qalibaf accused Israel of being "fiercely opposed to this negotiation process" and seeking to sabotage it Source: Listindiario.