Washington- The United States and Iran have entered a critical new phase in their diplomatic engagement, with US Vice President JD Vance stating that the next 60 days will be decisive in determining whether the recently signed memorandum of understanding develops into a durable agreement or collapses under the weight of decades of mistrust.
During a White House briefing, Vance outlined the administration’s strategy for implementing the framework agreement, stressing that any economic benefits for Iran would be tied strictly to verified actions rather than commitments on paper.
“The 60-day period officially started today,” Vance said, describing the coming weeks as a crucial test of Iran’s willingness to meet its obligations.
The diplomatic process is now expected to move into a more technical stage, with nuclear experts, diplomats and security officials set to begin detailed negotiations in Switzerland. Discussions will focus on issues such as the disposal of highly enriched uranium, inspection protocols, verification systems and compliance benchmarks.
Vance indicated that he intends to lead the US negotiating team and said the administration’s priority is to ensure that Iran cannot rebuild a nuclear weapons capability in the future.
A key theme of the vice president’s remarks was the emphasis on verification over trust. He said sanctions relief and economic incentives would depend entirely on Iran demonstrating compliance through measurable actions.
According to Vance, Tehran has committed to allowing inspections, eliminating stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and accepting monitoring mechanisms designed to prevent the re-emergence of a nuclear weapons programme. However, he stressed that written assurances alone would not be sufficient.
The administration also plans to brief Congress on the agreement in the coming days amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum. Vance maintained that the White House has the authority to temporarily ease certain sanctions without seeking immediate congressional approval.
Rejecting claims that Iran has already received significant economic concessions, he said no frozen Iranian assets would be released until Tehran fulfils its commitments. Any sanctions relief, he added, would be gradual, conditional and reversible.
Beyond nuclear issues, the negotiations are also expected to address regional security concerns, including the future stability of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. Vance said discussions involving Iran, Oman and Gulf nations could help establish mechanisms to prevent future disruptions to international shipping.
Despite the diplomatic progress, the vice president underscored that Washington retains significant economic and military leverage. He warned that all sanctions could be reinstated if Iran fails to comply and said any reduction in US military deployments would occur only after full implementation of the agreement.
Describing the process as a step-by-step approach rather than a single comprehensive settlement, Vance said future benefits would be unlocked only after Iran takes concrete actions, including the destruction of enriched nuclear material and acceptance of stringent inspections.
With regional stability, global energy markets and nuclear non-proliferation efforts hanging in the balance, the coming two months are expected to be closely watched by governments across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
With inputs from IANS