Iran and US Finalise Draft on Easing Oil Export Sanctions

Teheran (ANTARA) - Iran and the United States have finalised a draft for the temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports during negotiations in Switzerland, according to Iranian negotiating team member Hossein Ghorbanzadeh. “The technical discussions concluded with the finalisation of a draft concerning the temporary easing of sanctions imposed on Iran’s oil exports,” he said, as quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Ghorbanzadeh explained that the negotiations in Switzerland not only covered the main discussions but also included separate technical meetings to address various technical issues. He added that the Iranian delegation also discussed the release of Iran’s frozen assets in a meeting with a Qatari delegation. According to the Tasnim report, Ghorbanzadeh also stated that other provisions of the memorandum reached in Islamabad would not take effect until a final resolution is achieved to end the war in Lebanon. On 14 June, Iran and the US announced they had reached a 14-point understanding, mediated by Pakistan, to end the war and resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation. The memorandum of understanding came into effect on 18 June after being signed electronically by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. Its provisions include a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran.