US eases oil sanctions as Iran denies Vance claim on nuclear inspectors
BBC News 2026-06-23 05:39:17
Context: The United States has temporarily eased oil sanctions on Iran, allowing the country to sell oil in US dollars for the first time in decades, following a round of talks between Washington and Tehran in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock. The talks, which involved US Vice-President JD Vance and Iranian officials, aimed to reach a final deal to end the war and addressed issues including nuclear inspections and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The easing of sanctions comes as Iran denies a claim by Vance that it will allow nuclear inspectors back into the country.
Key Facts
- The US Treasury issued a 60-day sanctions waiver on Monday, authorizing the production, sale, and delivery of Iranian crude and petrochemicals until August 21, and allowing Iranian oil to be imported directly into the US.
- US Vice-President JD Vance said discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could happen "as soon as today" and that the talks had laid a "very good foundation" for a potential deal.
- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqai, denied that Tehran had made "no new commitments" on nuclear inspections, stating that any engagement with UN inspectors would take place "under existing procedures set by Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council".
- The US and Iran have agreed to a "roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days", according to a joint statement released by mediators Qatar and Pakistan, and have established a "communication line" to avoid incidents and miscommunication in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The IAEA had pulled out its remaining inspectors from Iran last summer, after Tehran suspended IAEA access to sites bombed by Israel and the US during a 12-day war, and Iran had not allowed inspectors back in since then.