Vance defends Trump-Iran deal as 60-day ceasefire window opens
What's new: The memorandum reopens the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days while Tehran's access to relief stays conditional on compliance.
Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump’s interim deal with Iran on Thursday as a 60-day negotiating window began under a new memorandum signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Vance argued the United States is not directly handing Tehran money and said any sanctions relief, access to frozen funds and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction plan would depend on Iran fully meeting the agreement’s terms. The deal pauses military operations for now and reopens the Strait of Hormuz during the initial window for talks on a final accord. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, signaled conditional backing, saying he approved the memorandum after assurances that Iran’s rights would be protected.