Iran: Technical Discussions Break Down, Hormuz Remains Under Tension

Following consultations in Switzerland, Iran and the United States formalized the creation of four working groups. However, Tehran simultaneously reaffirmed its control over the Strait of Hormuz. For Iranian Christians, nothing has changed.

The Fact

We had followed the signing of the USA-Iran protocol and the conditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz. On June 23, 2026, La Croix reported that technical discussions concluded in Switzerland with the formation of four working groups. However, Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf publicly reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Peace remains conditional, the leverage intact. Iranian Christians—Chaldean Catholics, Armenians, and Protestants—follow these negotiations without expecting any change in their situation: surveillance, arrests, prohibition of public worship in the Persian language—the realities of daily life do not depend on diplomatic working groups.

Our Perspective

That Iran reaffirms its control over Hormuz while agreeing to working groups reveals Tehran’s consistent strategy: negotiating without yielding on its essential leverage of power. For the Catholic Church, which closely monitors the fate of Christian minorities in Iran through ACN, a peace that leaves the regime in place is a peace that leaves persecution in place. The preamble of any lasting agreement should include explicit guarantees for religious minorities.

For Reflection

Let us pray for the Christians of Iran, who live their faith in secrecy and hope. Supporting ACN in its efforts for Iranian Christians is an act of concrete communion with the suffering Church.