‘Hormuz will never return to pre-war status’: Iran Speaker asserts permanent control over strait after US talks

Iran successfully demonstrated its negotiating leverage during talks in Switzerland, and Tehran was able to influence the outcome of discussions, the country's Parliament Speaker claimed.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, and Speaker of the Islamic Parliament of Iran Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, left, at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland. (AP Photo)

By: Express Global Desk

4 min readJun 23, 2026 11:57 AM IST First published on: Jun 23, 2026 at 11:34 AM IST

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf Monday claimed that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war operational status, while asserting that Iran will manage the strategic waterway, Iranian state media Press TV reported.

Speaking in an interview to Press TV, Ghalibaf said Iran would exercise control over the key maritime passage, while adhering to international regulations. “Everyone should know that the administration of the Strait of Hormuz will never go back to the way it was before the war,” he said, adding, “Of course, international regulations will be observed, but Iran will administer the Strait of Hormuz.”

His comments come after he returned from Switzerland concluding the initial round of high-stakes talks with the United States as part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides.

Explained | US-Iran talks: Why the deal remains weak despite progress in negotiations

Tehran’s diplomatic impact

Ghalibaf, addressing the media, also informed that Iran successfully demonstrated its negotiating leverage during talks in Switzerland, and claimed Tehran was able to influence the outcome of discussions, Press TV quoted.

Additionally, Iran was able to push the US to revise a social media post, where US President Donald Trump had threatened Iran against supporting its ‘proxy groups’ in the region, especially in Lebanon, within an hour, the Iranian Speaker alleged.

He, however, reiterated that Iran’s trust upon the US continues to be feeble.

“We have never trusted the Americans; we don’t trust them now, and it is only reasonable to remain distrustful in the future,” he told the state media.

Must Read | US to ‘fundamentally transform’ Iran relations, says JD Vance amid talks in Switzerland

He also claimed that Iran’s participation in the talks helped prevent further escalation in regional tensions. “Had we not gone to Switzerland [for talks with the US], more blood would have been shed among Muslims and Shias in Lebanon at any moment,” he said.

‘Iran will monitor developments’

Ghalibaf said that talks in Switzerland also entailed discussions on issued pertaining to Lebanon’s territorial integrity and regional ceasefire arrangements, adding that Iran will continue to monitor these developments, Press TV quoted.

Iran’s top negotiator also emphasised the country’s political stance, calling for unity among its leadership. He also stated that the final authority lay with the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

“We must remain united under the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei and recognise that his word and directives are final,” Iranian state media reported quoting the speaker.

Also Read | US-Iran set up Lebanon ‘deconfliction cell’. Can it deliver peace

Outcomes of the US-Iran talks

Ghalibaf, in his interview, also said that the release of frozen Iranian funds and easing of oil sanctions were the outcomes of the recently-concluded discussions between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance also suggested that President Donald Trump’s administration could agree to unfreeze Iranian assets for purchases of US wheat, corn and soy, AP reported.

Both sides have agreed to a 60-day road map for a final agreement, established a Lebanon “de-confliction” mechanism, set up a direct communication line for the Strait of Hormuz, and approved trade, oil, and asset relief measures.