The question of the Strait of Hormuz has yet to be resolved definitively and clearly between the American and Iranian sides.
There is a sharp divergence between the statements coming out of Tehran and Washington regarding the status of this strategic waterway, which controls more than two-thirds of the Gulf region's oil and gas and more than 20% of global trade in essential commodities.
Following the conclusion of technical talks that got under way at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland, we heard contradictory statements from both sides.
On one hand, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, said in an interview with Iranian television after the conclusion of the negotiating round that "the status of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to what it was before the recent military operations, and that Iran will have some form of control over Hormuz."
At the same time, statements from commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spoke of sovereignty over the strait reverting to Iran, describing it as "part of Iran's maritime sovereignty."
On the other hand, President Trump has been repeating on his personal platform and in television statements that an agreement has been reached to open the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation as it was prior to the recent military operations, on the basis that it is an international maritime strait through which all parties have the right of passage in accordance with established law of the sea.
Outstanding issues remain, including the timing of the issuance of licences granting Iran the right to export and sell oil and gas, as well as the specific payment schedule for the release of Iran's frozen assets.
The US president says there is an agreement that the Treasury Department will oversee these payments and channel them toward the purchase of American goods.