Vice President JD Vance is trying to shut down a narrative before it takes root. In public remarks, Vance denied that Iran is receiving cash or funds as part of ongoing diplomatic negotiations, rejecting reports that an agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle Iran’s nuclear program.
What we know about the negotiations
Vance has been the lead US negotiator in talks with Iran, a role that took him to Islamabad in April for a marathon session. Those discussions, held April 11-12, stretched for 21 hours before collapsing without an agreement.
The central sticking point: Iran’s unwillingness to provide adequate assurances that it would not pursue nuclear weapons development.
By late May, the tone shifted. On May 28-29, Vance indicated that negotiators were “very close” to a potential 60-day ceasefire extension. That extension could open the door to discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Vance cautioned that a definitive deal had not materialized, and President Trump’s support for any forthcoming memorandum remained uncertain.
