Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has announced a sweeping series of understandings with the United States, including joint mechanisms to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, the establishment of maritime crisis communications for the Strait of Hormuz, and the imminent release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Speaking after 18 hours of intensive negotiations in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar Qalibaf detailed the wide-ranging accords, which also outline temporary sanctions relief and a structured channel for direct engagement with US Vice President JD Vance.
Lebanon: Coordination Centers for Ceasefire and Withdrawal
At the heart of the agreement, Qalibaf confirmed that Tehran and Washington have reached common mechanisms aimed at guaranteeing Lebanon’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty. Under the new framework, both sides have agreed to establish a joint coordination center tasked with facilitating the safe return of Lebanese citizens to their homes and overseeing the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Lebanese territory.
In a move to prevent escalation along the volatile border, a separate, Lebanon-specific coordination hub will be activated to address and resolve any disputes concerning alleged ceasefire violations, ensuring rapid de-escalation between conflicting parties.
Strait of Hormuz: Communication Hub and Omani Oversight
Addressing maritime security, Qalibaf revealed that the negotiators consented to create a dedicated communications center to manage any accidents, incidents, or navigational problems in the Strait of Hormuz a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. He emphasized that Iran intends to bolster its management of the waterway during the current official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, where further operational details are expected to be finalized.
Sanctions, Assets, and Executive Follow-Up
In a significant economic breakthrough, the Iranian parliament speaker noted that US sanctions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports have been “temporarily lifted” pending the culmination of a final comprehensive agreement. He also announced the completion of a separate pact to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, marking a substantial financial victory for Tehran amid ongoing economic pressures.
To ensure the accord’s durability, Qalibaf confirmed that coordination mechanisms are now in place for him to hold meetings with US Vice President JD Vance “whenever needed” to follow up on the memorandum’s implementation and iron out any interpretive differences.
Official Confirmations and Technical Rollout
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the negotiating team has returned home after the extended Swiss talks and that technical delegations from both nations are scheduled to resume their work starting Tuesday to hash out granular operational details.
Echoing the positive momentum, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed on Monday that tangible progress had been achieved in the nuclear and security dimensions of the dialogue. Vance cited the establishment of robust mechanisms to prevent military escalation, maintain the ongoing ceasefire, and guarantee the unrestricted flow of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, framing the developments as a critical step toward regional stability.
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)