$6 Billion For Nuclear Site Access? What US Wants From Iran In Switzerland Talks

Published 21 June 2026 · india

$6 Billion For Nuclear Site Access? What US Wants From Iran In Switzerland Talks Published By, Last Updated: June 21, 2026, 11:20 IST The first

$6 Billion For Nuclear Site Access? What US Wants From Iran In Switzerland Talks Published By, Last Updated: June 21, 2026, 11:20 IST The first round of talks is expected to be held on Sunday in Switzerland, with Vance seeking progress on Iran’s nuclear programme and the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Rapid Read US Vice President JD Vance said Washington expected the Strait of Hormuz to be open without fees. (Reuters) US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland for the first round of US-Iran negotiations, following an initial delay in the peace talks last week. The discussions, likely to take place on Sunday, are expected to involve reciprocal steps on Iran’s nuclear programme and frozen financial assets. According to Axios, citing two regional sources, Washington wants the first round to end with Iran extending an invitation for UN inspectors to visit its nuclear facilities, which we and Israel earlier bombed. In exchange, the US is reportedly considering releasing a portion of Iran’s frozen funds, beginning with a $6 billion account held in Qatar. The money would be directed towards humanitarian purchases. A 60-day negotiation window is part of an interim peace deal signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking the start of a broader process aimed at ending the long-running conflict. However, concerns remain over possible disruption from Israel. While Vance departed Washington on Saturday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also travelled to Burgenstock to take part in the talks as mediators.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, “Pakistan will continue to support the implementation of the understandings between Iran and the United States," Reuters reported. Vance said before leaving Washington that his stay in Switzerland would be brief. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “I can only be there for a day or two. I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue." The Iranian delegation includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, according to state media IRIB. The first round of talks is expected to be held on Sunday at the Burgenstock ski resort in Switzerland, with Vance seeking progress on Iran’s nuclear programme and the Lebanon ceasefire issue. He also said the aim is to establish an “actual structure" for negotiations. As per Axios, based on inputs from two regional sources, the US hopes the round will conclude with Iran allowing UN inspectors access to its nuclear sites. The last inspection visit took place in June 2025. In return, Washington may permit Iran access to part of its frozen assets, starting with the $6 billion Qatar account, according to the report. Vance expressed optimism ahead of the talks, saying that despite media coverage, conditions are improving and things are “slowing down a little bit." A US intelligence assessment has warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may attempt to disrupt the US-Iran negotiations amid domestic political pressure related to the situation in Lebanon.