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US waives Iran sanctions, Trump says he will ‘do what I have to’ if Tehran misbehaves

Cyprus Mail · 2026-06-23

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The U.S. waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days following initial peace talks, with President Trump warning of potential actions if Iran does not comply with the agreement. • Why it matters: This waiver aims to facilitate a peace deal and reduce hostilities in the region, impacting global oil markets and regional stability amid ongoing tensions. • What to watch next: Upcoming talks in Washington will focus on direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, while further discussions on Iran's nuclear program and compliance are expected to unfold.

**Title: US Waives Iran Sanctions Amid Ongoing Peace Talks; Trump Warns of Action if Iran Misbehaves**

**Date: [Insert Date]**

The United States has announced a temporary waiver of sanctions on Iran, effective for 60 days, following the initial discussions aimed at establishing a peace deal between the two nations. This development comes as U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that he would take necessary actions if Iran fails to adhere to the terms of the agreement.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance reported that the talks, held in Switzerland, have laid a promising foundation for a potential final peace deal. However, Iranian officials have denied that discussions regarding their nuclear program have commenced. The negotiations took place in Buergenstock, a Qatari-owned resort, where both sides sought to build on an interim agreement signed the previous week.

According to mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, the discussions resulted in a roadmap for a permanent agreement within the next two months. Key outcomes from the talks included a commitment to cease hostilities in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, as well as the establishment of a communication line to facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

In a significant step towards providing economic relief to Iran, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a waiver that will allow Iran to sell oil and related products, and receive payments for these exports until August 21. Reports indicate a notable decrease in fighting in Lebanon since the agreement was reached, although Israel has stated it will maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon and continue operations to neutralize perceived threats.

The situation in the region has been tense, with U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran and its allies resulting in significant casualties and displacement. The ongoing conflict has also impacted global markets, contributing to fluctuations in oil prices. Following the announcement of the sanctions waiver, crude oil prices saw a decline, settling 3% lower on Monday.

Despite Israel not being a party to the recent peace agreement, it has agreed to a new ceasefire in Lebanon. While fighting persisted for a day following the ceasefire announcement, Lebanese officials reported a reduction in hostilities since Saturday night. Upcoming talks in Washington are expected to focus on direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, although these discussions may be overshadowed by the broader negotiations involving Iran.

Vice President Vance expressed optimism about the outcome of the talks, noting that Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country and to establish mechanisms for managing its frozen assets and ceasefires. He described the discussions as laying a solid foundation for a successful final deal.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei contradicted this assessment, stating that Iran had not yet engaged in discussions regarding nuclear issues or made any new commitments. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that Iran would agree to weapons inspections to ensure transparency regarding its nuclear activities. He reiterated his stance that if Iran does not comply with the agreement or behaves improperly, he would take necessary actions.

Iran has previously limited inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel, and it suspended inspections entirely amid the outbreak of war in February. Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on social media that Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and the initiation of a reconstruction and development plan. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance indicated that a process developed by White House envoy Jared Kushner would allow the U.S. and Qatar to control Iranian funds once unfrozen, suggesting that the funds could be allocated for purchasing U.S. agricultural products.

Contrarily, Iran's Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati stated that there would be no obligation to use the unfrozen funds solely for U.S. goods, asserting that some of the remaining frozen assets could be utilized for purchasing other non-sanctioned items.

Technical discussions are set to continue throughout the week as both sides work towards solidifying the terms of the agreement and addressing ongoing concerns. The international community will be closely monitoring the developments in this high-stakes negotiation, which has significant implications for regional stability and global oil markets.

Source: Cyprus Mail
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