Tehran says talks advance on sanctions and frozen assets
Iran said "good progress" was made during the first day of talks with the United States on issues including the release of Iranian assets and relief from oil-related sanctions.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Iranian delegation stressed that the conflict must end on all fronts, including Lebanon, while discussions also addressed "the issuance of necessary licenses for oil sales and the release of Iranian assets".
Baghaei said discussions were held on the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz and “a mechanism was set up, which is important”.
The comments came after Iranian finance minister Seyed Ali Madanizadeh said the memorandum of understanding would lead to the lifting of oil sanctions and allow Iran to sell crude oil without restrictions.
Speaking to the state news agency IRNA, Madanizadeh said: "With this agreement, oil sanctions have been lifted, and we can sell our oil without any restrictions and return the foreign exchange to the country."
He added that the accord would also support non-oil exports, increase foreign currency earnings and help address budgetary and exchange rate pressures.