Trump expects Iran nuclear deal within 60 days of MoU signing
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
US President Donald Trump said on Friday, 20 June that he expects Iran to agree to a final nuclear deal within 60 days of the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), warning of consequences if no agreement is reached by that deadline. The remarks came as a planned round of technical talks between the two sides was abruptly postponed, adding fresh uncertainty to an already fragile diplomatic process.
Trump's Warning and Deadline
Speaking at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump issued a pointed warning: if no deal is reached within 60 days beginning Thursday, “we will do things that won’t make them happy.” He added, however, “But I don’t think it’s going to get to that.”
The text of the MoU itself states that both sides are committed to negotiating and achieving a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent. The negotiations were intended to move beyond the political framework stage into detailed discussions on implementation, verification, and compliance.
Switzerland Talks Postponed
The US-Iran technical talks, which had been scheduled to take place in Switzerland, were postponed with neither side offering an official explanation. Multiple media reports indicated that Iran withdrew from the talks in response to the latest Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the postponement in a statement: “The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan have been postponed. Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing. No further information can be provided at present.”
On Thursday night, the White House announced that US Vice President JD Vance’s planned departure for the technical negotiations had also been postponed. A White House spokesperson said: “As the Vice President said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalised, and the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity.”
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Push
Separately, Trump told NBC News on Friday that he had spoken with Israeli leaders and urged them to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, describing the prospect as “a positive” and “a little icing on the cake.”
The US State Department confirmed that a new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled to be held in Washington, DC the following week, signalling that diplomacy on both tracks — Iran and Lebanon — is proceeding in parallel, even as the Switzerland postponement clouds the immediate outlook.
What Comes Next
The postponement of the Switzerland talks represents a setback, but both sides have reportedly indicated they remain engaged. The 60-day clock from the MoU signing now looms as the central pressure point. Should the talks resume and succeed, it would mark a significant shift in US-Iran relations after years of maximum-pressure sanctions and diplomatic breakdown. If the deadline lapses without a deal, Trump’s warning of unspecified consequences could escalate tensions sharply.