Iran to establish direct 'hotline' with US over Strait of Hormuz

Iran has agreed to establish a direct "hotline" with the US in the Strait of Hormuz, to "prevent and resolve any misunderstandings" with the US or other countries when ships pass through this vital waterway.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Monday that Iran and the US had "reached an agreement to establish coordination mechanisms - a hotline and a center so that if any ambiguity or problem arises, ships can contact that center."

In an interview with Iranian state media during the flight back from negotiations in Switzerland, Ghalibaf said that from now on, the strait will be "managed according to Iranian agreements" and "will never return to what it was before the war."

He promised that Iran would "strictly implement international laws" and act quickly to resolve any problems or misunderstandings.

"Of course, just as problems can arise in Lebanon or elsewhere, problems can arise in the Strait of Hormuz. As you have seen, on some nights there have been clashes," he said.

Ghalibaf said the hotline would help ensure the "highest level of security and traffic flow."

When asked by a reporter about the purpose of the hotline, he said: “If Americans have any objections to anything, or if any ship or vessel needs clarification on any route or anything… they [can] call.”

Ghalibaf also claimed that Iran's access to $12 billion of its frozen funds and details about the lifting of oil sanctions were finalized during negotiations in Switzerland.