U.S.-Iran Interim Deal Aims to Address Nuclear Program within Two Months
An interim agreement between the United States and Iran seeks to address Tehran’s contentious nuclear program over a two-month period. Preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon remains a significant focus for President Donald Trump. His administration, alongside Israel, engaged in military actions against Iran’s nuclear sites in early 2025. However, the new agreement offers limited time for resolving longstanding issues. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump exited during his first term, required extensive negotiation.
The initial details of the new deal, set to be signed in Switzerland, include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international oil shipments and providing financial incentives to Iran upon meeting specified targets. Talks on terminating Iran’s nuclear program will span 60 days. Skepticism surrounds the feasibility of the deal’s impact on nuclear negotiations among U.S. lawmakers and Israel.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed skepticism, emphasizing that a successful deal would mean no nuclear enrichment by Iran. He acknowledged uncertainty about achieving a comprehensive phase two agreement.
The process of forming a nuclear deal demands detailed attention from numerous technical experts. David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy highlighted the current administration’s challenges in maintaining focus on these complex issues. He questioned the administration’s understanding of Iran’s strategy.
Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran must take visible steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons program to receive incentives. On Megyn Kelly’s podcast, Vance emphasized action over words:
“I don’t trust anything that anybody says. I trust what people do. And the way this deal is structured is that as they do more, they receive more. As they do less, they receive less.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. The previous JCPOA took over 18 months to negotiate, starting under President Barack Obama’s administration through secret talks in Oman. These negotiations involved direct interventions from high-level officials such as Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
In 2018, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA before its contentious concessions took effect. The agreement involved detailed limitations on uranium enrichment, centrifuges, and heavy water production, in exchange for significant sanctions relief.
Republicans demand that any nuclear deal with Iran should go through Congress for approval. Senator Ted Cruz indicated that the Senate would expect to have a final say on any agreement. However, Senator Roger Marshall views the shortened negotiation period as an advantage, noting that Iran often uses prolonged talks to rearm.
Senator Tim Kaine highlighted that prior negotiations under Obama provide a foundation for future talks, despite the JCPOA’s complex, multi-national nature involving countries like China and Russia, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff undertook several negotiation attempts with Oman as the mediator during Trump’s second term. However, the situation shifted after attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, and Pakistan assumed a mediating role. It remains unclear whether issues such as Iran’s ballistic missile program or regional militant support will be tackled in current or future agreements.
Amid challenges, some argue that reaching a deal remains more favorable than continued conflict. Brian Katulis from the Middle East Institute stressed that the current agreement essentially manages fallout from previous actions.
This report includes contributions from Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Nathan Ellgren.