RUSSIA PERSPECTIVE

Moscow, June 23, 2026. Russian agencies TASS, Sputnik, and RT delivered dense, near-real-time coverage of US-Iranian technical negotiations held at the lakeside resort of Burgenstock in Switzerland, documenting each development of a negotiation that nearly collapsed before yielding a partial accord.

According to TASS, citing Israeli Channel 12 and Axios, high-level political discussions concluded on June 22, with technical teams continuing consultations. A US diplomat confirmed that exchanges proceeded "in various formats, almost without interruption." The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf; the American side included Vice President J.D. Vance, accompanied by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The accord provides for the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets and issuance by the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of "General License X," authorizing through August 21, 2026 the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum products, as well as insurance, docking, and emergency repair operations.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Ghalibaf clarified that the accord establishes "a center and communication line" to enable incidents to be resolved "within 30 days." He emphasized: this line "is not intended to obtain passage authorization," but only to manage incidents. He added that "strait management will never be conducted the same way as before the war" and that navigation will be regulated "in accordance with international law standards and rules established by Iran."

Vice President Vance told reporters before departing Switzerland: "We have put in place the mechanism to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is open, and will remain open." He indicated that approximately 15 million barrels had already transited the strait and that oil prices "are declining and will continue to decline." Vance characterized this sequence as "a foundation for a truly transformed Middle East."

Russian coverage also notes tensions that marked the talks: the Iranian delegation temporarily refused to continue discussions after Trump threatened to "strike Iran very hard again." Exchanges then resumed through Qatari and Pakistani mediators. Washington announced plans to monitor the use of Iranian oil revenues; Ambassador Mike Waltz clarified that "if the money does not go to the agreed-upon places, we can absolutely cut it off again."

Four working groups were formed: sanctions relief, nuclear issues, reconstruction and economic development, and monitoring and implementation. A 60-day roadmap toward a final agreement was adopted.