Iran and US conclude technical talks, move to high-level phase

Iran and the United States have concluded technical negotiations in Switzerland, establishing four working groups and agreeing to move to a phase overseen by a high-level committee. The Iranian deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced the creation of groups focused on sanctions relief, the nuclear program, economic reconstruction, and implementation monitoring Source: infobae.

In a significant economic gesture, Gharibabadi stated that $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets will be released "immediately" and that the US has issued a license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil Source: diariolibre. The US Treasury confirmed a 60-day license through August 21, while Iran committed to ensuring free transit in the Strait of Hormuz and allowing IAEA inspectors Source: diariolibre.

High-Level Committee

The next phase will involve a high-level committee including Iran's parliament speaker and foreign minister, the US vice president (JD Vance), and the prime ministers of Qatar and Pakistan Source: infobae. No date has been set for the next meeting Source: elespanol.

Background

These talks come after the US lifted a blockade on Iranian ports last week. Iran's oil exports had dropped from 1.5 million barrels per day to 260,000 in May due to sanctions Source: diariolibre.