Iran's Assessment on the Geneva Talks: Strait of Hormuz, Regional Security Alignments & More

Newsletter Edition #366 [The Files In-Depth]

Readers,

Last week, Geneva's UN press corps got a comprehensive briefing from Iran's ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, just days following the country's deal with the United States of America, through a Memorandum of Understanding.

We bring you key takeaways from the briefing that I attended. It provides indications on how Iran views the deal, and on the different issues that have implications for geopolitics, and therefore global health.

There are important considerations for health: whether it is the de facto internationalisation of the Strait of Hormuz that affects supply chains, or on matters of sanctions, and nuclear deterrence, or more urgently the attacks on civilians and health infrastructure have direct consequences for global health. It also helps get a reading on the evolving regional dynamics.

Also find below, a mapping of countries that abstained on votes on Iran and Lebanon, just weeks ago at the World Health Organization. These were among the 11 votes at the Assembly this year. Lebanon is a key part of the considerations in the U.S.-Iran peace deal.

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Priti Patnaik, Founder & Publisher, Geneva Health Files

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I. THE IRAN BRIEFING IN GENEVA

Iran's Assessment on the Geneva Talks: Strait of Hormuz, Regional Security Alignments & More

Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, had a long and detailed press briefing in Geneva at the UN headquarters last week. [The briefing was organized by the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations (ACANU)]

Key Takeaways of the briefing by Ali Bahreini [June 24, 2026]

Chronology:
- Described the recent 40-day war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which followed a previous 12-day conflict in June of the prior year.
- Stated that the war led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and recent negotiations in Bürgenstock on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
- Claimed the "enemies" failed in their objectives to dismantle Iran's political system and defense capabilities.
MOU Implementation and Technical Progress:
- Outlined key elements being implemented: termination of military operations (Paragraph 1), removal of the blockade (Paragraph 4), opening the Strait of Hormuz (Paragraph 5), issuing oil and petrochemical waivers (Paragraph 10), and defreezing Iranian assets (Paragraph 11).
- Confirmed the establishment of at least two working groups to focus on sanctions removal and nuclear activities.
Economic and Energy Developments:
- Hailed the 60-day US waivers for Iranian oil and petrochemicals as a major development that rehabilitates global energy markets.
- Asserted that Iran has sole control over its defrozen assets (initial $6 billion, potentially $12 billion total) and rejected claims that the US or Qatar would oversee their use.
Regional Security and Lebanon:
- Emphasized that Lebanon is an "unquestionable part" of the MOU and that a "conflict cell" involving Iran and the US will monitor the ceasefire there.
- Warned that Iran reserves the right to respond if Israel violates the MOU by attacking Lebanon or Hezbollah, which he described as an independent ally.
- Expressed optimism for better relations with Gulf neighbors, suggesting new regional security arrangements are needed.
Strait of Hormuz:
- Stated the strait is currently open for 60 days without charges for commercial vessels, but future arrangements will be discussed exclusively between Iran and Oman.
- Clarified that Iran has not granted permission for military vessels to pass during this 60-day period.
Nuclear Issues and the IAEA:
- Clarified that there is no agreement yet for UN inspectors to return and that the IAEA's role will be discussed in future working group stages.
- Indicated Iran accepts down-blending of uranium in principle but insists it must occur inside Iran.
Diplomatic Stance and Trust:
- Maintained a stance of deep mistrust toward the United States due to past "assassinations" and attacks during previous negotiations.
- Demanded the total lifting of sanctions rather than temporary waivers for any final deal.
- Cited the global economic impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure as a primary reason Iran agreed to negotiate despite its mistrust.

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

Economic and Sanctions Issues

On whether the 60-day US general license for oil is a victory:
- The Ambassador described it as an important development that goes beyond previous arrangements Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), allowing Iran to sell oil and petrochemicals to any country for 60 days.
- It serves as a "pilot exercise" for the removal of further sanctions and helps rehabilitate the global energy market following the war.
On the specifics of defreezing Iranian assets:
- The first stage involves $6 billion, which is currently being processed or completed.
- An additional $6 billion (bringing the total to $12 billion) is located in various countries and is expected to be defrozen within two months depending on the progress of the MOU.
On whether funds must be used to buy American agricultural goods:
- The Ambassador rejected claims that the US or Qatar would have oversight or control over how the money is spent.
- He asserted that Iran will "freely and independently" decide how to use the assets and from which sources to provide necessary commodities.
On the total lifting of sanctions:
- While temporary waivers are currently in place for oil, Iran demands the total and permanent lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions for any final agreement.
- He noted that the US government must handle its own internal legal proceedings and criticism to ensure they can fulfill these commitments with strong guarantees.

Regional Security and the Strait of Hormuz

On the status of the Strait of Hormuz and shipping fees:
- The strait is currently completely open for commercial vessels for a 60-day period without charges.
- Future arrangements and potential fees after 60 days will be discussed exclusively between Iran and Oman, with input from other Persian Gulf states.
On military vessels passing through the Strait:
- Iran has not granted permission for military vessels to pass during the current 60-day period.
On using the Strait as leverage:
- The Ambassador denied using it as leverage, stating that new arrangements are necessary because "enemies" used the strait to equip bases for attacks against Iran.
On regional relations with Gulf neighbours:
- He expressed optimism for "good relations," noting that while some neighbours’ land was used for US attacks, many are now playing helpful roles as mediators (e.g., Qatar and Pakistan).
- He called for new regional security arrangements based on a "new understanding" of Iran's position.

The Conflict in Lebanon

On the coordination center and the return of Lebanese citizens:
- A "de-conflict cell" involving Iran and the US has been established to monitor the ceasefire and guarantee that attacks do not recur.
- The termination of war includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories to allow people to return home safely.
On the response to potential Israeli violations:
- Iran reserves the "right to respond in any effective and appropriate manner" if the MOU is violated.
- The Ambassador emphasized that Hezbollah is an independent ally and an "unquestionable part" of the agreement; any attack on them is a violation of the MOU.
On Iran's "red line" in Lebanon:
- The red line is "any more attack against Lebanon" in any location, including the south or Beirut.

Nuclear Issues and the IAEA

On the return of UN/IAEA inspectors:
- He stated it is "too early" to discuss the return of inspectors and denied reports that an agreement has already been reached.
- The role of the IAEA will be discussed in future working group stages once the initial five paragraphs of the MOU are fully implemented.
On nuclear concessions and uranium down-blending:
- Iran has accepted the principle of down-blending enriched uranium as part of future arrangements.
- However, Iran insists that this process must take place inside Iran and that uranium will not be shipped out of the country.
On Russia's role:
- Iran is considering Russia’s offer to facilitate the process, including the potential transport of uranium to Russian territory, as one of many options for the working groups to review.

Negotiation Logistics and Process

On the number of working groups:
- There are at least two primary groups (Sanctions and Nuclear), but others may focus on the Strait of Hormuz and monitoring.
On future high-level meetings:
- Further meetings will be scheduled once technical working groups achieve "tangible progress".
On the timeline for a final deal:
- There is no specific assessment, but the 60-day limit on current Strait arrangements is intended to put pressure on all parties to expedite negotiations.
On why Iran agreed to negotiate despite high distrust:
- Iran remains deeply distrustful because of past attacks and "assassinations" during negotiations.
- They agreed to talk to respect the requests of regional friends (like Pakistan) and because they recognize the global economic impact of the Strait's closure.

II. THE TALE OF TWO VOTES THROUGH ABSTENTIONS ON IRAN AND LEBANON (WHA79)

We mapped the abstentions from some countries on similar votes on Iran and Lebanon at WHA79 in May 2026. See which countries abstained in the infographic below.

The votes against, and abstentions on Iran, compared to the votes in favor, and abstentions on Lebanon. Both resolutions in under consideration, were related to health conditions of affected populations.

The story was reported in detail here.