US, Iran establish Hormuz crisis hotline to safeguard shipping

Dubai: The United States and Iran have agreed to establish a direct communication line for the Strait of Hormuz as negotiators wrapped up a second day of talks in Switzerland aimed at securing a broader agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues.

The mechanism, announced by Qatari and Pakistani mediators after marathon negotiations near Lake Lucerne in Obbuergen, Switzerland, is intended to prevent incidents and miscommunication and help ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.

The dedicated channel will allow US and Iranian officials to rapidly exchange information and resolve maritime concerns before they escalate into a broader confrontation.

The move follows days of uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz, where ship traffic has fallen sharply. Maritime analysts reported that only a small number of vessels transited the waterway on Sunday as operators assessed security risks and conflicting US and Iranian statements about whether the strait remained open.

Renewed uncertainty

It also comes after renewed uncertainty over the strait, with Iran claiming it had closed Hormuz in response to alleged Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon, while US officials disputed that assertion.

According to a joint statement issued by the mediators, the two sides also agreed to establish a high-level committee to oversee negotiations and create working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions and dispute resolution. Technical teams will remain in Switzerland this week to continue discussions.

The talks, led by US Vice-President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, were described by mediators as having made “encouraging progress” despite a tense start.

A senior US diplomat told reporters that negotiators made progress on mechanisms to keep Hormuz open and discussed steps to preserve a fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon. The sides also agreed to create a “deconfliction cell” involving Lebanon and the mediators to help prevent renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Axios reported that US and Iranian negotiators held nearly 18 hours of discussions over the weekend and agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a broader agreement within 60 days. The report said officials also discussed implementation of the interim memorandum of understanding and ways to avoid incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

The negotiations were briefly overshadowed by sharp exchanges between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump issued public warnings to Iran during the talks. Iranian state media reported that Tehran temporarily suspended participation in protest over Trump’s remarks, although US officials said discussions continued.

The Associated Press reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran would “never back down” from what it describes as its right to enrich uranium, highlighting one of the key disputes that remains unresolved.

The Switzerland talks are part of a 60-day framework established under last week’s interim agreement between Washington and Tehran. Negotiators are seeking a longer-term deal covering Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions relief, frozen assets and broader regional security concerns.

Qatari and Pakistani mediators said the latest round had produced a framework for continued negotiations, while both sides expressed cautious optimism that the process could build confidence after months of conflict and confrontation.