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Jun 23, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

US Eases Iran Sanctions as Lebanon Ceasefire Holds

AI Summary
The US has eased sanctions on Iranian oil for 60 days after Tehran committed to allowing international nuclear inspectors to return to the country. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has largely held, with the UN reporting no air attacks in Lebanon since March 2.

The Shift in US-Iran Relations

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, says an agreement has been reached with the United States to release $12bn in frozen Iranian funds following talks in Switzerland. The US eased sanctions on Iranian oil for 60 days after Tehran committed to allowing international nuclear inspectors to return to the country during negotiations to end the US-Israel war on Iran.

Key Developments in Diplomacy

  • Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says technical talks with the US have concluded and the next phase “will take place under the supervision of the high-level committee” that includes Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Vice President JD Vance.
  • Ghalibaf has hailed “good achievements” in the US-Iran talks and confirmed the release of two tranches of $6bn in frozen funds.
  • The US Treasury Department has waived sanctions on the sale of Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals and petroleum products until August 21.

The Situation in Lebanon

  • A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held, even as fear of renewed hostilities has kept displaced people from returning home.
  • The United Nations said Sunday marked the first time its peacekeepers have detected no air attacks in Lebanon since March 2, the day the war between Israel and Hezbollah escalated and two days after the US-Israel war on Iran began.

Reactions from Iran and the US

  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a “full commitment to agreed obligations”.
  • Donald Trump says Iran “will agree” to have weapons inspections and any released Iranian assets will be used to buy US produce.

Future Talks and Developments

  • Israel and Lebanon are to start a new round of direct talks in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.