From Hormuz to Lebanon: Ghalibaf Details Swiss Talks Results
WANA (Jun 23) – Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of Iran’s negotiating team, has provided the first detailed account of the recent four-party talks held in Switzerland, announcing a series of understandings reached between Iran, the United States, and regional mediators. He said the management of the Strait of Hormuz would not return to pre-war conditions.
Speaking during his return flight from Switzerland, Ghalibaf stated that while Iran would continue to comply with international law, the strategic waterway would be administered according to “Iranian arrangements” and remain under Iranian management.
“I was among the first to state at the beginning of the war that the administration of the Strait of Hormuz would never return to its previous status,” he said. “International regulations will be respected, but the Strait will be managed under Iranian arrangements and by Iran.”
Diplomacy and Military Power as Complementary Tools
A significant portion of Ghalibaf’s remarks focused on defending the negotiation process against domestic criticism.
According to him, portraying diplomacy and military action as opposing approaches is a misunderstanding of how national interests are secured. He argued that military achievements become lasting gains only when they are translated into political and legal outcomes.
“Without diplomacy, many achievements on the battlefield cannot be fully realized,” he said. “Negotiation is a method of struggle and a continuation of the same path pursued in the field.”
Ghalibaf described the Swiss negotiations as “an extension of the military front,” arguing that the conditions created by Iran’s armed forces had made diplomatic progress possible.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of Iran’s negotiating team. Social media /WANA News Agency
Distrust of the United States Remains Central
The Iranian parliament speaker emphasized that distrust toward Washington remained a fundamental principle guiding Tehran’s approach.
He said the memorandum included mechanisms designed to verify U.S. commitments, requiring Washington to begin implementing several key obligations immediately after signing.
According to Ghalibaf, Iran sought tangible actions from the United States before moving forward with additional stages of the process.
Release of Frozen Assets and Oil Sanctions Relief
Ghalibaf identified the lifting of what he described as a blockade and the implementation of economic measures as among the most significant outcomes of the talks.
He announced that the release of two tranches of Iranian frozen assets, each worth $6 billion, had been finalized in Switzerland. Preparatory steps had reportedly been completed during an earlier visit to Qatar, while the final approvals were secured during the Swiss negotiations.
He also said restrictions affecting crude oil exports, petrochemical sales, maritime transportation, insurance services, and certain banking transactions would be suspended until a comprehensive agreement is reached.
While acknowledging that a final agreement has not yet been concluded and that the broader sanctions framework remains in place, Ghalibaf said temporary relief measures had been agreed upon.
Dispute Over Trump’s Remarks on the Strait of Hormuz
Ghalibaf also addressed comments reportedly made by U.S. President Donald Trump following the signing of the understanding.
According to him, Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be “opened immediately,” whereas the agreement stipulated a gradual implementation process over a 30-day period and in accordance with conditions defined by Iran.
Ghalibaf claimed that Tehran succeeded in persuading the U.S. side to revise its position, describing the outcome as a result of combining diplomatic leverage with military deterrence.
Coordination Center Planned for the Strait
The chief negotiator revealed plans to establish a dedicated coordination center to address potential issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of the arrangement, a direct communication line would also be established to facilitate the rapid resolution of incidents involving commercial vessels or disputes over navigation.
Ghalibaf stressed that the communication mechanism would not be used to issue navigation permits but rather to manage crises and prevent misunderstandings.
“The management of the Strait rests with Iran, and resolving potential problems will also be Iran’s responsibility,” he said.
Lebanon Featured Prominently in the Talks
Ghalibaf said developments in Lebanon constituted one of the main topics discussed in Switzerland.
He claimed that hostilities in Lebanon had decreased after the talks began and that some displaced residents had already started returning to their homes.
According to him, the negotiations produced an understanding aimed at supporting Lebanon’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, alongside the creation of a mechanism to monitor implementation.
He added that a coordination center would be established to oversee the return of displaced civilians, reduce tensions, and follow up on commitments related to Lebanon.
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Ghalibaf also claimed that Israel strongly opposed the talks and sought to obstruct the process.
He argued that Israel viewed continued regional tensions as beneficial to its interests and therefore attempted to influence developments surrounding the negotiations.
According to him, Iran’s participation in the talks contributed to a reduction in violence and created conditions for further diplomatic progress.
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Iranian Delegation Walked Out After Trump’s Threats
One of the most notable aspects of Ghalibaf’s account concerned Iran’s decision to leave the negotiations.
He said Tehran had refused from the outset to appear in a joint public setting with U.S. representatives and that communications were conducted through mediators.
According to Ghalibaf, the Iranian delegation suspended talks after learning of what he described as threatening remarks by Trump directed at Iran.
He said the delegation left the meeting and did not return, with subsequent communications taking place exclusively through Qatari and Pakistani mediators.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of Iran’s negotiating team. Social media /WANA News Agency
Response to Critics of the Swiss Talks
Addressing domestic criticism of the negotiations, Ghalibaf argued that the absence of the Iranian delegation from the talks could have resulted in further escalation and additional casualties in Lebanon.
He maintained that the outcomes demonstrated the ability of diplomacy, alongside military developments, to advance Iran’s objectives.
Four Main Outcomes Claimed by Tehran
Ghalibaf summarized what he described as the four principal achievements of the Swiss negotiations:
- A reduction in hostilities and progress toward ending the conflict in Lebanon;
- A new framework for managing the Strait of Hormuz;
- The release of part of Iran’s frozen financial assets;
- Temporary relief from oil-related sanctions pending a final agreement.
Concluding his remarks, Ghalibaf called for national unity and urged political factions to avoid creating divisions during what he described as a sensitive period, emphasizing that major state decisions continue to be guided by the country’s highest leadership.
