US and Iran 'very close' to deal but 'not there yet', Vance says
JD Vance said the US and Iran are close to a deal, but key language on enrichment still needs work.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Vice-President JD Vance said negotiators are close to a deal with Iran, but major issues remain unresolved. Conflicting reports from US and Iranian officials show the talks are still fluid and could still fall apart.
Two countries are trying to stop a fight and make a deal. A top US leader said they are very close, but there are still important words to agree on.
One big issue is nuclear material. That is like holding something that could be used for a very dangerous tool, so both sides argue about what should happen to it.
The talks matter because they can affect ships carrying oil and gas, kind of like a busy bridge that many trucks need to cross. If the bridge closes, lots of people feel it far away.
Analysis
Where the talks stand
JD Vance said the US and Iran are still working through sticking points before any agreement can be completed. He told reporters it was too early to say when, or even whether, the two sides would finish a deal, even as he said negotiators were close.
Earlier in the day, US officials told the BBC that the two countries had agreed a framework, subject to approval from Donald Trump and Iran's leadership. But Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the deal had not been finalised or confirmed, underlining how uncertain the process remains.
What is still being negotiated
Vance said the sides were going back and forth on wording, including the question of enrichment. The US has long wanted Iran to stop producing highly enriched uranium and give up its existing stockpile, which could be used for weapons.
Reports say a possible arrangement could extend the ceasefire for 60 days and open talks on Iran's nuclear programme. Other reported elements include freer passage through the Strait of Hormuz, time for Iran to clear mines from the shipping route, and sanction waivers that would let Iran sell oil again. The White House rejected an Iranian state media report about a draft memorandum as fabricated.
Why the uncertainty matters
The conflicting claims show how fragile the negotiations are. Trump has repeatedly suggested a deal is close, but there have been no final results so far. The president is also facing pressure from Gulf allies, Democrats, and some Republicans to end the war.
The stakes are broader than the bilateral talks. The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global oil and liquefied natural gas, so any change in its status affects world energy trade. Both sides have also accused each other of breaking the fragile ceasefire in recent days, and Trump has warned that a return to combat is still an option.
Key points
- JD Vance said the US and Iran are close to a deal, but key issues are still unresolved.
- The main sticking point appears to be language about uranium enrichment and Iran's nuclear stockpile.
- US and Iranian reports conflict on whether a framework has actually been agreed.
- Any deal could affect the ceasefire, sanctions on Iran, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The White House rejected an Iranian media report on a draft memorandum as a fabrication.
