Vance — US “Not There Yet But Close to a Deal”; 60-Day MoU Pending Trump Approval
US Vice President J.D. Vance said overnight the United States is “not there yet” on Iran “but close to a deal”. A preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear-talks memorandum of understanding has reportedly been reached between US and Iranian negotiators, pending President Donald Trump’s approval. The proposed framework would deliver: a 60-day ceasefire extension; the Strait of Hormuz reopened with no tolls; Iran clearing mines deployed in the strait; the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports; Iran selling oil freely under US sanctions waivers; and nuclear-programme talks beginning during the 60-day window.
Iran would commit not to pursue nuclear weapons and would negotiate disposal of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. Sanctions relief and frozen-funds release would be sequenced during the 60-day window. The package remains contingent on Trump signing — and Trump on Wednesday said he is “not satisfied” with the terms and accused Iran of trying to stall until the November mid-term elections. The Vance “not there yet but close” framing is the most positive US-side language since the IRGC airbase strike in Kuwait on Thursday. The deal architecture has been described by Vance as moving the war into a “significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter” while immediately unblocking the strait and unwinding the blockade.