The US and Iran are inching closer to a potential agreement regarding the ongoing war, but Vice-President JD Vance emphasizes that they are “not there yet.” Speaking with the BBC, Vance was asked about President Donald Trump’s possible signing of a deal, to which he responded that it is too soon to determine “when or if” an agreement will be finalized. According to reports, the proposed deal could extend the current ceasefire for an additional 60 days while also initiating discussions about the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier on Thursday, US officials indicated to the BBC that a framework for the deal had been tentatively agreed upon. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency claimed that the deal had not yet been confirmed or finalized. The potential agreement might allow “unrestricted” passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz, with Iran given 30 days to clear mines from this vital shipping route. Meanwhile, the US would lift its blockade and provide sanction waivers to enable Iran to resume its oil sales.
Axios, which first broke the news of this tentative agreement, reported that Trump had been briefed on the proposal but had not yet signed off on it. It could take him a few days to weigh his options. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint for global oil and natural gas, with about one-fifth of the world’s supply passing through it. Its closure has significant implications for global fuel trade.
Vance shared his optimism during a press conference in Washington DC, noting that negotiators are “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” including the contentious “question of enrichment.” He stated, “We’re not there yet, but we’re very close and we’re going to keep on working at it.” The US has long insisted that Iran halt its production of highly enriched uranium and dispose of its existing stockpile, which could potentially be used for nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, Iranian state media circulated details of what they referred to as an unofficial draft of a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two nations. This included lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing US forces from the “vicinity of Iran,” and restoring non-military traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Oman overseeing vessel management and routing. However, the White House dismissed this purported draft as a “complete fabrication.”
Since the initial ceasefire took effect on April 8, Trump has repeatedly indicated that both sides are close to a deal and that negotiations are progressing. However, tangible results have yet to materialize. The president faces mounting pressure to bring an end to the war from Gulf allies, opposing Democrats, and some Republicans in Congress who are concerned about the conflict’s duration.
Recent conflicting reports about a possible deal highlight the fluidity of negotiations, with both nations contradicting each other’s claims and providing scant details on the reported proposal. This raises further questions about how near the parties are to ending hostilities. Trump and other officials have warned that “option B”—a return to combat operations—remains on the table.
Extending the ceasefire would allow US and Iranian teams to delve into the more complicated and technical issues, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Trump has floated the idea that the US could either take the uranium or, in cooperation with Iran, dilute it either on-site or at a third location.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during the White House briefing earlier on Thursday, refrained from confirming whether an agreement had been reached. “It’s always a mistake to get out ahead of the president, and it is all going to be the president’s decision,” he remarked. When questioned about whether any eventual peace deal would involve “reconstruction” for Iran, he responded, “We’ve got to get to the deal before we get to the other side.”
In the meantime, both Iran and the US have accused each other of breaching the fragile ceasefire in recent days. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have targeted a US base in the region on Thursday following new US strikes on southern Iran overnight. Iranian media reported that their forces had downed a US aircraft, possibly a drone. However, US Central Command refuted these claims, stating on social media, “No US aircraft were shot down. All US air assets are accounted for.”
This ongoing tension comes during a delicate ceasefire between the US and Iran, with negotiations dragging on to end the three-month-long conflict. President Trump believes Iran is eager to finalize a deal, but as of now, there are still no agreed-upon terms.
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber