US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said negotiations between Washington and Iran have made substantial progress, though President Donald Trump is yet to approve the proposed agreement being discussed between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters, Vance said negotiators were still working through specific language in the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), but described the talks as constructive so far. “We’ve made a lot of progress here,” Vance said, adding that the Iranian side had engaged in discussions “in good faith” up to this point.
The ongoing negotiations are centred on efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire and reduce tensions in West Asia after months of military escalation involving the United States, Iran and Israel.
Vance said both Washington and Tehran shared an interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring secure maritime movement through the key global shipping route. However, he acknowledged that major differences remain over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the future of its nuclear programme.
The remarks came amid reports that the two sides are close to reaching a temporary 60-day understanding aimed at stabilising the region while broader negotiations continue. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed cautious optimism, saying a framework for a possible deal may be emerging, though several sensitive issues remain unresolved.
According to reports, the proposed understanding would ensure unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and require Iran to remove naval mines from the area. In exchange, the United States could gradually ease restrictions affecting Iranian ports and maritime trade.
The draft proposal is also expected to include an Iranian assurance against pursuing nuclear weapons, while discussions over Tehran’s nuclear activities would continue separately. Trump, however, indicated earlier this week that he was still unconvinced by Iran’s current proposals, warning that military action remained an option if diplomacy failed to produce an acceptable outcome.
A ceasefire has been in place since April following weeks of conflict, although both Washington and Tehran traded accusations of violating the truce after fresh exchanges of fire earlier on Thursday.
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