Two weeks ago, US and Iranian negotiators had something rare: an actual agreement. A 60-day ceasefire extension paired with renewed nuclear talks, hammered out over grueling rounds of diplomacy. Then President Trump added new conditions, including a requirement that Iran sign onto the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.
Iran said no. And just like that, the closest thing to a breakthrough in the Iran conflict evaporated.
What happened to the deal
On May 29, 2026, negotiators reportedly reached a tentative framework for extending the ceasefire that had been in place since early April. The agreement covered two core pillars: a 60-day pause in hostilities and a fresh round of discussions on Iran’s nuclear program.
The original ceasefire had been brokered by Pakistan in early April 2026, during a period of escalating tensions tied to Iran’s nuclear activities and US sanctions. Central issues on the table included sanctions relief for Tehran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping chokepoints.
