Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a late-night statement on Monday saying Tehran had scored a major early victory in the first round of talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Lucerne. He said Iran obtained a partial easing of sanctions that have battered its economy for years, and that the United States agreed to lift restrictions on Iranian oil and petrochemical sales as pledged in a memorandum.
Araghchi also claimed Washington had begun unfreezing Iranian assets valued at about $100 billion around the world. In his account, the talks produced exemptions on oil and chemical exports, an end to the blockade, the release of some frozen funds, and the launch of a major reconstruction and development program for Iran.
The statement came even though, according to the article, Iran had not agreed to any commitment on the nuclear issue, and the Strait of Hormuz was still apparently closed after a declaration by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Araghchi said, "Persistent mediation by Pakistan and Qatar brought significant progress toward ending the Lebanon war," and described the first real test as "the conflict chamber of Lebanon."
The article says the developments could soon increase heavy pressure on Israel. It also notes the backdrop of what it calls a historic embarrassment for the U.S. delegation in Switzerland, led by Vice President JD Vance, and says the Iranian side framed the result as its first dramatic victory of the night.
