Easing of sanctions on Iran depends on nuclear negotiations

Moscow - The easing of sanctions against Iran, including the release of frozen overseas assets, will be carried out gradually and depend on the progress of negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the discussions. Previously, the Mehr news agency reported, citing a draft memorandum of understanding, that the United States has committed to unfreezing Iran’s overseas assets worth USD 24 billion (approximately IDR 390.7 trillion). According to the report, half of those funds will be returned to Iran before the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries takes place. In addition, the US is said to have agreed to allow Iran to sell oil during a 60-day ceasefire extension. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that the drafting of the memorandum of understanding had been completed and the document is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on 19 June. Meanwhile, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom expressed their readiness to lift sanctions against Iran once an agreement between Tehran and Washington is reached. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London is prepared to form an ‘independent multilateral defensive mission’ for mine clearance if necessary.