US Lifts Oil Sanctions On Iran, Trump Shifts To Economy, MN Subpoenas Thrown Out
June 23, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readFor the first time in decades, the United States has temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran, a move that allows the country to sell its oil on the global market in U.S. dollars. The 60-day exemption is one of several economic incentives offered to secure Iranian compliance with U.S. demands on its nuclear program. The announcement, made by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, marks a stunning reversal from the weeks-long U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports. Previously, Iran had evaded sanctions through “dark fleets”—ships that turned off tracking systems—selling discounted oil to state-linked Chinese companies outside the international dollar banking system. Now, Iran can sell freely at standard prices, like any other major Gulf producer.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:02) **US Temporarily Lifts Oil Sanctions on Iran** - The Treasury Department announces a 60-day sanctions waiver, allowing Iran to sell oil in US dollars on the global market for the first time in decades.
- 2 (02:28) **VP Vance Claims Iran Will Allow Nuclear Inspectors** - JD Vance, leading negotiations, says Iran agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back, calling it a major milestone for denuclearization.
- 3 (05:29) **Trump Shifts Focus to the Economy on First Domestic Trip** - President Trump travels to a key state to outline economic gains promised after the Iran war ends.
- 4 (06:44) **Trump’s Economic Promises and Political Stakes** - Trump acknowledges the political risk, saying he doesn't want to be "Herbert Hoover" during a potential economic slump.
- 5 (09:24) **Judge Throws Out Federal Subpoenas in Minnesota** - A federal judge rules that Trump administration grand jury subpoenas against Minnesota officials were used to harass and retaliate for not cooperating with immigration enforcement.
- 6 (11:44) **Reactions and Next Steps in Minnesota Case** - Governor Walz calls the ruling a "victory for the rule of law," and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says "criticizing the government is not a crime."
- 7 Standout Quotes
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
President Trump heads to Pennsylvania today to talk up the economy and his promise that gas and grocery prices will fall now that the war is ending, but his approval is at record lows with even some Republicans unhappy over his handling of the economy.
And a federal judge in Minnesota threw out grand jury subpoenas from the Trump administration, ruling they were used to harass and retaliate against state and local officials who wouldn't help carry out the president's immigration crackdown.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, Cheryl Corley, Mohamad ElBardicy, and John Stolnis.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) US Lifts Oil Sanctions On Iran
(05:23) Trump Shifts To Economy
(09:17) Minnesota Subpoenas Thrown Out
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