Two Decades, Zero Deals: Iran Nuclear Standoff Hardens

Direct talks this weekend repeated a now-familiar pattern of difficult and frustrating diplomacy between the United States and Iran. The discussions made no visible progress on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. That agreement, known as the JCPOA, limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. left the deal in 2018, and Iran has since expanded its nuclear work. This round of talks marks two decades of failed negotiations. Multiple agreements have collapsed. Each side blames the other for the current deadlock. The lack of a deal means continued uncertainty. Iran can advance its nuclear capabilities, and the threat of regional tension remains high. For now, the diplomatic stalemate only deepens.