US suspends Iran sanctions after 'good progress' in talks

US suspends Iran sanctions after 'good progress' in talks Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/22/2026 - 19:47 The first round of US-Iran negotiations concludes with a temporary lifting of sanctions but progress on the nuclear issue muddied by both sides US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media after the US and Iran held high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, 22 June 2026 (Nathan Howard/AFP) Off The US suspended sanctions against Iran on Monday as the two sparred over nuclear and weapons inspections during a day of talks that US Vice President JD Vance characterised as "good progress". US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced it would be temporarily lifting sanctions until 21 August under a 60-day general licence that authorises Iranian oil production and sales. Any transactions during this period must be made in US dollars.