US-Iran Peace Talks Begin With 60-Day Countdown
A 60-day clock is now ticking for the U.S. and Iran to reopen a key global waterway, lift an oil blockade, and finalize a nuclear deal — after Trump signed the agreement at Versailles.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Final peace negotiations between the United States and Iran officially began Thursday, launching a 60-day countdown for the two nations to resolve a series of sweeping demands, Vice President JD Vance announced at a late morning press conference at the White House.
The 60-day window sets deadlines for Iran to safely reopen the Strait of Hormuz, for the United States to lift its blockade on Iranian oil, and for both countries to finalize a nuclear agreement. The deal also immediately halts hostilities that began Feb. 28.
Trump Signs Deal at Versailles
Vance had been scheduled to finalize the 14-point memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, but President Donald Trump moved ahead unexpectedly, signing the deal early Thursday morning while attending a state dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit.
Vance is still expected to travel to Lucerne, Switzerland on Friday for follow-up negotiations. The agreement stops the fighting that has claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members, thousands of civilians in Iran, Lebanon, and across the Gulf region, and disrupted the global economy, according to the White House.
Vance: ‘Big Things Are Going to Happen’
Vance described the agreement as “a win-win situation” for the United States. “If they change their behavior, big things are going to happen for Iran and for the world,” Vance said. “If they don’t, no skin off our backs” because Iran’s nuclear program and military are “still destroyed.”
Vance also addressed Israel’s role under the agreement, saying the “Israelis, just like everybody else, have to respect this process.” The deal binds Israel to ending its bombing campaign in Lebanon targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters.
Congressional Approval Disputed
Vance said he expects to brief Congress, though he did not provide a specific date. He expressed confidence that the administration does not need congressional approval to lift sanctions on Iran under the terms of the deal, pushing back against claims made by some U.S. senators.
The agreement was signed by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the Tennessee Lookout, which first reported details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding.
