US, Iran close to agreement, but key issues remain: JD Vance
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US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that the United States and Iran were moving closer to a possible agreement, though several issues still remain unresolved.
Speaking to reporters, Vance said the two sides were “not there yet” on a final deal but added that negotiations had progressed significantly. “I can't guarantee that we're going to get there, but right now I feel pretty good about it,” he said.
Vance said discussions were continuing over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the future of Tehran’s enrichment activities. He added that negotiations were still ongoing over certain language points in the proposed memorandum of understanding.
Reuters reported that the United States and Iran had agreed to extend their ceasefire and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though the arrangement still requires approval from US President Donald Trump.
Iran, however, pushed back against reports circulating in Western media about the proposed agreement.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted a source saying the text of the proposed memorandum had changed in recent days and was not yet finalised. The source also said some details reported by Western media outlets were inaccurate.
Earlier reports citing US sources said Washington and Tehran had reached a preliminary understanding to extend the ceasefire for 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to the conflict, pending Trump’s approval.
Axios had also reported that the draft arrangement includes provisions for unrestricted vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
