Iran and US agree on four working groups; Tehran claims management of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran to Manage Strait of Hormuz, Says Iran's Chief Negotiator; US Energy Secretary Claims Oil Traffic Back to Pre-War Levels

Merchant ships near Khasab, northern Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz, June 20, 2026. Photo: Wen Xinnian/Xinhua/dpa

The United States and Iran have agreed to establish four working groups following talks in Switzerland, according to Tehran. The state-run Iranian news agency Irna reported on Tuesday, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, that two groups will address Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. The remaining two will focus on reconstruction and economic development in Iran, as well as "monitoring and implementation."

Delegations from Washington and Tehran met on Sunday and Monday at a luxury hotel on Mount Bürgenstock in the Swiss Alps to negotiate a permanent peace solution to the Iran war. Both sides agreed on a roadmap toward a peace agreement in the region. Mediating states Qatar and Pakistan stated that the framework is intended to lead to a final agreement within 60 days.

Communication Channel for Strait of Hormuz

The mediators confirmed that the US and Iran also agreed to establish a communication channel for the Strait of Hormuz. Upon returning from Switzerland, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, according to state media, that his country would manage the strait—a critical waterway for global oil and gas trade.

"The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war state, but will be managed by the Islamic Republic of Iran in accordance with international law," Ghalibaf said on Tuesday, as reported by Irna.

Talks Yield "Good Results"

In a video posted to his Telegram channel on Tuesday, Ghalibaf described the talks as having brought "good results." On Monday, US Vice President Vance had already stated that "a very good foundation for a successful final agreement has been laid."

The mediators said the communication channel for the Strait of Hormuz is intended to prevent "incidents and communication breakdowns" and enable "safe" commercial shipping. No official comment was made by the mediators regarding Ghalibaf's announcement that Tehran would manage the strait.

US Diplomacy in the Gulf

Against the backdrop of the negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to three Gulf states starting Tuesday. His itinerary includes visits to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Washington stated that Rubio intends to explain the framework agreement with Iran through Thursday, as well as efforts to ensure free ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

In Bahrain, Rubio is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday. The US maintains military bases in the region. After US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began in late February, Iran retaliated by attacking targets in several Gulf states.

Oil Traffic Claims Disputed

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright claimed that oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to "pre-war levels" or "pre-crisis levels," adding that "we can even go beyond that." President Donald Trump stated that "a lot of oil is flowing out" and claimed a record in oil transport through the strait two days ago.

However, data from analysis firm Kpler contradicts these statements. According to Kpler, 71 confirmed transits were recorded over the weekend, with a high of 35 passages on Saturday. Before the war, approximately 100 to 130 ships passed through the strait daily.

On Monday, the US eased sanctions on Iranian oil, issuing a license to that effect.