Iran credits Switzerland negotiations with averting wider bloodshed

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that Iran’s participation in recent negotiations held in Switzerland was aimed at preventing further escalation in the region and reducing civilian casualties, arguing that absence from talks could have led to greater bloodshed.

In a statement published on social media, Ghalibaf said critics who questioned Iran’s diplomatic engagement were ignoring the humanitarian impact, adding that continued dialogue helped limit violence affecting Muslim and Shia communities in Lebanon.

“I saw on one of the good programs on IRIB (Iranian state broadcasting) people saying that it would have been better if Mehrabad Airport had been closed so that the negotiating team could not fly to Switzerland. To these dear people, I say: if we had not gone to Switzerland, in every passing second even more blood of Muslims and Shia of Lebanon would have been spilt,” he emphasised.

در یکی از برنامه‌های خوب صداوسیما دیدم که گفتند کاش فرودگاه مهرآباد را می‌بستند تا تیم مذاکره‌کننده به سوئیس نرود. به آن عزیزان می‌گویم اگر به سوئیس نمی‌رفتیم، هر لحظه خون بیشتری از مسلمانان و شیعیان لبنان ریخته می‌شد.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) June 22, 2026

Separately, Ghalibaf also commented on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that its governance framework will not return to the pre-war model, although international maritime regulations will continue to be observed.

“I hope that we can again make the strait functional in terms of transit and bring prosperity to the regional and global economy. However, the governance order of the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war state. Of course, international rules will be respected, but the Strait of Hormuz will be managed by Iran,” the speaker noted.

He also announced plans to launch a dedicated communication channel intended to ensure safer navigation through the strait and reduce the risk of incidents in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

By Jeyhun Aghazada