Premature To Say Who Will Contribute To Iran Reconstruction Fund, Not US Gov't – Rubio

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that no decision on who is going to make contributions to the reported reconstruction fund for Iran had been made, but it won't be the US government, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

“No, that’s far down the road. It’s a part of what’s discussed that could happen. It won’t be our investment. It won’t be our government money,” Rubio told reporters when asked about the Gulf states' potential investments.

If Iran wants to, it can create economic opportunities, the US top diplomat said.

“I think that is something that is going to have to depend on progress made on a host of other security issues that have to be confronted in the days to come,” Rubio added.

Last week, US President Donald Trump dismissed reports about a US$300 billion fund allegedly planned to be created under the US-Iran deal.

Iran and the US held talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday, with Qatar and Pakistan mediating the negotiations.

The US delegation was led by Vance, while Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf headed the Iranian team.

Both Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei and Vance later announced progress in the talks.

Last week, Iran and the US remotely signed the memorandum that provides for an end to the military conflict that began on February 28.

The document also sets timelines for the US to lift its naval blockade and for Iran to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also commits not to acquire nuclear weapons, with the issue of Iran's nuclear programme to be resolved through a separate agreement.

The parties will hold negotiations on this matter within 60 days.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI