Vance Says U.S.-Iran Talks Made "Huge Progress" as Oil Prices Plunge
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- 2026-06-23 02:35:30
- Updated
- 2026-06-23 02:35:30
International oil prices fell more than 3%.
"Iran is cooperating despite complaining and threatening"
According to foreign media outlets including CNBC, Vance told reporters that the Bürgenstock talks in Switzerland were making major progress, including Iran's agreement to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return and resume inspections.He said the talks were producing results even though Iran had declared it would reblock the Strait of Hormuz, calling Israel's attacks on Lebanon a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Vance stressed, "Of course, there is a little bit of threatening and a little bit of whining, but in the end the talks continued, and we made major progress." He was referring to Iran's declaration that it would reblock the Strait of Hormuz because Hezbollah in Lebanon was under attack, describing it as "complaining" and "threatening."
He added that Iran's agreement to IAEA inspections was "an important milestone for Americans and the first step toward Iran's permanent denuclearization, or the permanent end of its nuclear weapons program."
Vance also said the negotiations were moving forward in a way that could help avoid further escalation in the Middle East.
He said, "We want a ceasefire in this region. We want Hezbollah to stop attacking our friend Israel. We want Israel to be able to live in peace."
He continued, "We also want to be able to ensure that if something happens, it does not escalate into broader tensions." He added, "That is why we have been involved, and we are exceptionally good at setting up what we call conflict-avoidance mechanisms."
He said, however, that while a "very good foundation for a successful final agreement" had been laid, there was "still a lot to do," including mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz.
"A classic Trump deal"
Vance said Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, had come up with a "very interesting solution" in Qatar, suggesting that the United States could release Iranian assets frozen in Qatar.He said, "The work of Jared, Qatar, and the entire team here in Bürgenstock is a classic Trump deal." He added, "If Iranian assets are released, this money will make U.S. farmers richer and feed the Iranian people."
Vance emphasized, "This is a very, very good, very typical Trump deal. It is very good for our people and for the Iranian people, and again, it will fundamentally contribute to the regional security framework we have built."
International oil prices plunge
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