WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to begin a three-nation tour of Gulf countries on Tuesday, according to his spokesperson, as mediators Pakistan and Qatar reported “significant progress” in the first round of talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland.
“Secretary Rubio will travel to the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a post on X on Monday.
“He will meet with officials about a range of U.S. policy priorities, including the MOU with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and discussing shared priorities across the region with Gulf Cooperation Council members,” the statement added.
.@SecRubio will travel to the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25. He will meet with officials about a range of U.S. policy priorities including the MOU with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and discussing shared priorities…
— Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) June 22, 2026
US suspends sanctions on Iranian oil
The US Treasury said Monday it is temporarily lifting sanctions on Iran to allow the Islamic Republic to produce, sell, and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21.
“All transactions” that were previously prohibited involving the production, sale, and transport of Iranian-origin crude oil “are authorised through 12:01 am eastern daylight time, August 21, 2026,” according to a license published by the Treasury Department, which administers US economic sanctions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited Tehran’s commitment in ongoing negotiations to “free and open transit” in the Strait of Hormuz and permission for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to enter their country as a reason for pausing the sanctions.
Under President @realDonaldTrump and @VP, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous.
In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency…
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) June 22, 2026
US, Iran agree 60-Day roadmap
The United States and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement following the conclusion of high-level talks in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, according to a joint statement issued on Monday.
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.
🔊PR No: 1️⃣5️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint Statement by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Regarding the Conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit, First High-Level Committee Meeting with Participation of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran pic.twitter.com/2G3PAf7LVY
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2026
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.
Iran agrees to allow nuclear inspectors
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance said that Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return to its nuclear facilities following the first round of US–Iran talks held in Switzerland.
In his first statement after the talks, Vance described the discussions as “constructive,” saying they laid the groundwork for a potential final agreement aimed at reducing tensions and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
According to Vance, coordination between Iran, the United States, and the IAEA regarding inspectors’ access could begin “this week, maybe as soon as today.” However, Iran has not yet publicly confirmed the arrangement, and details regarding the scope of access remain unclear.
