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Iran announces Strait of Hormuz hotline, says no return to 'pre-war conditions'

A telephone hotline and a centre will be established to quickly resolve incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil shipping chokepoint, Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said.

Ghalibaf said the mechanism would help address any problems that arise in the waterway for a period of 30 days.

He said the waterway would “never return to its pre-war conditions,” according to AFP.
“Problems may arise in the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, we agreed to establish a center and a telephone hotline so that, during the 30-day period, if any issues occur, they can be resolved more quickly,” he told state TV, adding that the move could lift regional economy dependent on oil exports.

Ghalibaf also said the signing process for the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets had been finalised during the negotiations.

The Iranian parliament speaker also reiterated Tehran’s authority over the waterway through which roughly 20% of global oil passes.

“The Strait of Hormuz will be managed by Iran, in accordance with those laws and under arrangements established by Iran,” he said.