Iranian envoy says Strait of Hormuz fully open without charges

Geneva, June 23
Ali Bahreini, Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva, announced on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels without tolls.

Bahreini said that the situation will be reviewed after 60 days, depending on negotiations between Iran and the US.

Iranian and US negotiators have concluded a first round of talks in Switzerland on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the two sides last week.

Under the MoU, Iranian assets will be unfrozen by the US, said Bahreini.

"Iran is the only country that decides what to do with those assets, and there would be no role for any other country or entity to have a say on how those assets should be used by Iran," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Bahreini refuted the US claim that Iran has agreed to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into the country.

"No, there hasn't been such a decision or even such a discussion," said Bahreini, noting that discussions on Iranian nuclear activities are for the next stage.

"Therefore, any information provided by different sources about the possibility of allowing inspectors to come to Iran is incorrect," said Bahreini.

US Vice President J D Vance on Monday outlined a proposal that could see any future release of frozen Iranian assets used to purchase American agricultural products, presenting the idea as a potential component of a broader agreement emerging from ongoing negotiations with Tehran.

According to Vance, the funds would be directed towards purchasing American agricultural commodities rather than being transferred directly to Tehran.

“The money would actually go to buy American soy, American corn and American wheat for the benefit of the Iranian people,” he said.

Vance described the proposal as beneficial to both countries.

“If Iranian assets are ever unfrozen, they're going to go to make American farmers richer and to feed the Iranian people,” he said.

“That's a very, very good and very classic Trump deal.”