• President Donald Trump said the second stage of the Iran nuclear agreement is expected to progress rapidly, with no U.S. funds going to Tehran.
  • The comments come amid reports of narrowing gaps in negotiations over enrichment limits and verification, with a potential deal seen as a boon for global energy markets.
  • Analysts caution that while optimism is high, key technical issues remain unresolved, and political pushback at home and abroad could still derail a final accord.

A Quickening Pace

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Iran nuclear agreement is entering a second stage that should “go quickly,” framing the next phase of diplomacy as smoother than the initial round. Speaking to reporters, Trump stressed that no U.S. money would be invested in Iran under the deal, a nod to critics who have raised concerns about financial flows to the Islamic Republic.

The president’s upbeat assessment follows months of on-and-off talks that have yielded what officials describe as a “near-term breakthrough.” According to people familiar with the matter, the U.S. and Iran have made progress on core issues, including limits on enrichment and guarantees against weapons-related pathways. However, exact terms remain under negotiation and subject to formal signing, with several sticking points still on the table.

Market and Geopolitical Implications

A completed deal—especially one that includes reopening strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz—would have wide-ranging implications for global energy markets, Middle East security, and international sanctions regimes. Traders have already begun pricing in a lower geopolitical risk premium on oil, with crude prices slipping slightly in recent sessions as diplomatic optimism grows.

“The market is watching closely,” said a senior energy analyst who asked not to be named. “Any sign of a final deal could push prices lower, but the devil is in the details—especially on enforcement and verification.”

Domestic and Allied Reactions

Reaction in Washington remains divided. Some lawmakers have urged a tougher stance, arguing that Iran cannot be trusted to abide by any agreement. Others, including some Democrats, have cautiously welcomed the prospect of a new framework that could curb nuclear risks and stabilize the region.

U.S. allies have expressed varying degrees of support. European capitals, which worked to preserve the original 2015 accord after the U.S. withdrawal, have indicated they would back a credible new deal, while Israel and Gulf states have voiced skepticism, according to diplomatic sources.

Looking Ahead

If the second stage is formalized soon—Trump has hinted at weeks rather than months—markets and geopolitical risk assessments could tighten around remaining technical issues: enrichment ceilings, breakout timelines, and enforcement mechanisms. A durable agreement could reshape regional security dynamics and reduce war-risk premiums, but it remains contingent on trusted compliance and broader political alignment among major powers.

Efforts to reach the Iranian mission to the UN for comment were not immediately successful.