Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the U.S. and Iran can work together to reopen the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2].
The statement follows the first round of diplomatic talks between the two nations in Switzerland this month [3]. Because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, any cooperation to restore transit is vital for international market stability.
Ghalibaf said the comments while returning from the Swiss negotiations [1, 2]. He said that the cooperation is intended to reopen the strategic waterway following the war [1, 2]. While signaling a willingness to collaborate, Ghalibaf said that the Strait will never return to the way it was before the war [1].
Despite the permanent changes to the region's status, the negotiator said that Iran will fully comply with international law [1]. This assurance is aimed at the international community to reassure them of Iran's commitment to legal maritime standards during the reopening process [1, 2].
The diplomatic movement comes amid conflicting reports regarding the future of the waterway. While Ghalibaf said the Strait would not return to its pre-war condition [1], other reports suggest a deal could allow Iran to reopen the Strait and sell oil freely [3]. These discrepancies highlight the complexity of the negotiations, and the specific terms regarding oil exports and maritime security.
Throughout the process, the primary goal remains the restoration of transit through one of the world's most sensitive maritime corridors. The first-round talks in June 2026 [3] mark a significant step in attempting to resolve the tensions that led to the waterway's disruption.
“US and Iran can work together to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”
The willingness of Iran to cooperate with the U.S. on the Strait of Hormuz suggests a strategic shift toward stabilizing energy corridors to facilitate economic recovery. However, the insistence that the waterway will not return to its pre-war state indicates that new security protocols or geopolitical realities will likely govern the region, potentially altering how global shipping and naval patrols operate in the Gulf.
