18 June 2026
US-Iran deal begins 60-day period for technical talks aimed at ending war
The interim agreement between the US and Iran is set to begin for a period of 60 days, in which the most divisive issue between the two countries – Tehran’s nuclear program – will be addressed.
Preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb was a key reason President Donald Trump said he started a war with Israel in February, but the temporary agreement leaves little room to negotiate the long-running sticking point.
The previous nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, from which Trump withdrew the US in his first term, took months to negotiate.
A US official said that under the terms of the initial deal, Iran would take immediate steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments and would be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions.
Iran is also set to receive at least $300 billion for reconstruction and the United States will work to end all US and UN sanctions imposed on Tehran. That is, if a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program is reached after a 60-day period for negotiations.
The initial agreement said both sides agreed to resolve the “disposition” of Iran’s highly enriched uranium during that period.
Critics on the right and left raise questions about the Iran deal.
Nevertheless, there is deep skepticism among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers that the agreement is realistic, workable or will have any impact on subsequent nuclear negotiations.
Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and former US ambassador to the United Nations, wrote that the Iranians would use any funds received “to further their nuclear ambitions and on terrorist proxies against us”.
“Paying to rebuild what we just destroyed is a huge mistake,” he said.