The four month long conflict between Iran and the United States has reached a significant turning point with the signing of a new agreement, while this deal includes the complete cessation of military operations and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a global supply lifeline. While the signed document covers all major points of contention, the detailed interpretation and implementation of these points will require extensive negotiations between both fronts, while a 60 day timeline has been established for this purpose, indicating that the road to a final resolution is still long and complex.
The 60 Day Negotiation Window
Despite the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17, 2026, the reality is that a final settlement could take months. Experts suggest that the process is akin to a blockbuster movie where the audience is left waiting for the conclusion. Rami Khoury, a fellow at the American University of Beirut, has noted that the 60 day timeline might not be sufficient given the complexities involved. The discussions will now focus on how to proceed with sensitive issues such as nuclear programs and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, while the technicalities of uranium enrichment and the removal of mines from the sea are expected to take significant time.
Complex Issues on the Table
The disputes between the US and Iran are deeply intricate. These points require meticulous discussion to reach a consensus. History shows that previous agreements between these two nations have taken years rather than months to fully materialize.
Historical Context: The 2015 Nuclear Deal
The history of US-Iran relations is marked by long negotiation periods. The famous Nuclear Deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in 2015, but talks had been ongoing since 2013. The agreement was finally implemented in January 2016. At that time, Barack Obama was the US President and Hassan Rouhani was the President of Iran, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was still alive. Interestingly, the deal involved not just the US and Iran, but also China, Russia, France, the UK, and Germany. Despite the involvement of these world powers, the deal faced opposition from Israel and Saudi Arabia and eventually collapsed.
The Collapse and Recent Escalation
The 2015 deal was intended to last for 10 years but failed when Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018. Trump cited Iran's failure to curb its missile program and regional influence as the reason for the withdrawal, while following this, Iran began to ignore the restrictions on its nuclear program. When Joe Biden took office, attempts were made to revive the JCPOA, but they were unsuccessful. The situation changed drastically after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which led to a broader regional conflict. Iran stood firmly against Israel and the US regarding Gaza and Palestine.
The Path to the 2026 Agreement
Upon Trump's return to power in 2024, the US stance became more aggressive. Trump challenged Khamenei to stop the nuclear program or face military action. In June 2025, while negotiations were expected, Iran was attacked, leading to further delays and threats. On the night of February 28, 2026, a joint US-Israel operation targeted and killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a full scale war. After intense efforts by global powers, a deal was finally signed in France on June 17, 2026. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acted as the mediator, while while the signatures are on paper, the world now watches to see how long it will take for both nations to reach a final, functional conclusion.