US-Iran nuclear diplomacy has entered a new phase of uncertainty after President Donald Trump announced that Washington will not seek an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tehran, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called the proposed 60-day negotiation deadline “completely meaningless.”
The MOU, signed on June 18, was intended to establish a framework for negotiations on sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear program. Baghaei said the agreement originally set a 60-day negotiation period with an option to extend, but accused the United States of violating the deal “seriously and extensively” within weeks of signing, preventing talks from getting underway. He emphasized that the MOU contains no clause referencing a binding 60-day deadline and reiterated that Iran does not formulate policy under pressure, ultimatums, or time limits.
The US decision not to seek an extension aligns with the administration’s maximum pressure policy toward Iran. This development could have significant implications for regional stability and international non-proliferation efforts. Without an extension, Iran may feel less constrained in its nuclear development, potentially escalating tensions in the Middle East and affecting global energy markets. European signatories to the original JCPOA have urged restraint, but the US position appears to be hardening, complicating efforts to negotiate a more durable agreement.
The collapse of diplomatic engagement comes against a backdrop of decades of mistrust and follows the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018. For global markets, the news adds another layer of uncertainty, particularly in the energy sector, as any disruption in the region could affect oil supplies and broader risk sentiment.
