U.S. and Iran Begin 60-Day Path Toward Final Peace Deal

The United States and Iran have entered a critical 60-day period aimed at reaching a final peace deal. This follows the signing of a preliminary agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding, which was signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement, which was also supported by Pakistan, marks a significant step toward ending the recent war between the two nations.

As part of this new ceasefire — an agreement to stop fighting — U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday that it has begun lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports. This move is a key requirement of the deal. In return, Iran has promised to allow commercial ships to travel safely through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway is extremely important, as about 20% of the world's oil moved through it before the war began. According to the agreement, Iran will allow this traffic without charge for the next 60 days.

However, the path to peace is not yet clear. While the blockade is being removed, U.S. and international forces are still working to clear mines that were placed in the water during the conflict. Because of these safety concerns, it is not yet certain when ships will begin moving through the area in large numbers. Furthermore, Iranian officials have suggested they might introduce service fees for ships after the initial 60-day period ends. Industry analysts have questioned whether such fees would be legal under international law.

Vice President Vance, who is leading the U.S. negotiation team, defended the agreement during a recent press briefing. He noted that the U.S. still holds a strong position and will not provide major benefits to Iran until the country can prove it is changing its behavior. He explained that lifting the blockade is intended to help the global flow of energy rather than acting as a new gift to Iran. The U.S. Navy will remain in the region to ensure that both sides follow the rules of the ceasefire.

Despite the progress, many difficult questions remain. One of the most important issues is Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement states that Iran has no intention of building nuclear weapons, and both sides have agreed to a plan to manage Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium. According to Deutsche Welle, the plan involves reducing these materials under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, some leaders, such as Omid Nouripour of the German parliament, have expressed doubt, noting that Iran has made similar promises in the past without fully keeping them.

The memorandum also includes plans for a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran’s economy, though the details of this plan are still being discussed. Additionally, the ceasefire is intended to cover Lebanon, which would require the cooperation of Israel. Since Israel is not a party to this specific agreement, this remains a point of uncertainty.

Middle East analyst Fatemeh Aman told Deutsche Welle that the political will to talk is encouraging, but the final outcome is far from certain. She explained that the central challenge will be finding a balance between Iran’s nuclear commitments and the removal of economic sanctions — official penalties used to pressure a country. Negotiators hope to sort out these complex details within the next two months.

As the 60-day clock ticks, the world is watching to see if this preliminary agreement can truly lead to a lasting peace. While the lifting of the blockade is a positive sign, the success of the mission will depend on whether both nations can find common ground on the most sensitive issues, including nuclear security and regional stability.