BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland: US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Iranian assets would not be unfrozen unless Washington continued to see progress in ongoing negotiations with Tehran, following a first round of US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland.
Speaking to reporters before departing Switzerland aboard Air Force Two, Vance said any decision on releasing frozen Iranian funds would remain tied to developments in the diplomatic process.
“That money is not going to be unfrozen unless we continue to see progress,” Vance said. “That will obviously be a big part of the negotiation in the days to come.”
.@VP: “Fundamentally, that money is not going to be unfrozen unless we continue to see progress, and that will obviously be a big part of the negotiation in the days to come.” https://t.co/ajXECmTXb5 pic.twitter.com/huXYgHEsPk
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 22, 2026
His remarks came after Pakistan and Qatar announced “significant progress” in the first round of talks between the United States and Iran at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland.
Vance said the issue of how any released funds would be used had been raised during discussions and that Qatar had agreed to help establish a mechanism to oversee the process.
“We actually asked the Qataris to help us set up the mechanism so that we can ensure that the money goes where we want it to go, and they agreed to do that,” he said.
The vice president said Washington had a strong working relationship with Qatar and confidence in the proposed oversight arrangements.
Asked whether the latest round of negotiations had increased his trust in Iran, Vance said progress would be judged by actions rather than assurances.
“You can’t trust anybody’s words. You have to trust what they actually do,” he said.
Vance cited Iran’s agreement to allow international inspectors into the country as a positive development.
“Letting in the inspectors is a big deal, but we’re going to see what they actually let the inspectors do once they’re in the country,” he said.
US, Iran agree 60-day roadmap for final deal
According to a joint statement issued on Monday by mediators Pakistan and Qatar, the US and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement following the conclusion of high-level talks in Switzerland.
The first session of negotiations under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding concluded at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, bringing together representatives of Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar.
In a joint statement, the mediating countries described the Lake Lucerne Summit as having been conducted in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and said “encouraging progress” had been achieved, including the establishment of a mechanism for further technical negotiations.
The parties agreed to establish a High-Level Committee to provide political oversight of the mediation process. Under the arrangement, chief negotiators will regularly report to the committee and lead specialised working groups focusing on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring mechanisms and dispute resolution.
According to the statement, the committee approved a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days and laid the groundwork for the immediate start of technical discussions.
A direct communication channel has also been established between the parties to prevent misunderstandings and incidents during the implementation period outlined in the memorandum, particularly to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement further announced the creation of a de-confliction cell involving the negotiating parties and the Lebanese Republic, facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, to oversee compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon agreed under the memorandum.
Technical talks are expected to continue throughout the week at the Burgenstock resort.
Pakistan and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the negotiations and ensuring that discussions continue in a constructive atmosphere aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting agreement.
The two mediating countries also expressed appreciation to the United States and Iran for their commitment to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution, while thanking friendly countries for supporting the ongoing negotiations.
