Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. holds all the leverage in secret nuclear negotiations with Iran [1, 3].
These talks represent a critical attempt to resolve technical disputes and establish a new framework for nuclear oversight. If a memorandum of understanding is finalized, it could fundamentally shift the geopolitical stability of the Middle East by extending the terms of a preliminary agreement.
Speaking on Monday, June 24, Vance said the U.S. has all the cards [3]. He said that while some details of the deal still need to be figured out, the administration feels confident about the current position of the negotiations [1].
Reports regarding the status and location of these talks vary. Some sources indicate that secret technical discussions took place in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday, June 23 [1, 4]. Other reports suggest that a signing ceremony occurred in Geneva, Switzerland [4].
There are further contradictions regarding whether the agreement is finalized. While some reports state the U.S. and Iran have already signed the deal digitally [4], Vance said that a memorandum of understanding would be released in the coming days [1, 3].
Despite the remaining technicalities, Vance expressed certainty regarding the outcome of the process. He said "America wins" regardless of the specific path the deal takes [2].
The discussions aim to secure a memorandum of understanding that would extend the preliminary nuclear deal, and resolve outstanding technical disagreements [1, 3].
“The US has all the cards”
The conflicting reports on the deal's status—ranging from ongoing talks in Doha to a digitally signed agreement in Geneva—suggest a highly opaque negotiation process. The administration's emphasis on holding 'all the cards' indicates a strategy of maximum pressure to ensure the final memorandum of understanding favors U.S. security interests and nuclear non-proliferation goals.
