Vice President JD Vance signaled Thursday that negotiations between the United States and Iran are approaching a potential breakthrough, stating the two sides are “very close” to an agreement despite unresolved technical details. Speaking to journalists after delivering the commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, Vance affirmed that Iranian officials “want a deal” and have engaged “at least so far in good faith.”
The comments arrive as U.S. forces maintain defensive operations against Iranian targets while diplomatic teams finalize terms for a long-term accord. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump told his Cabinet that Iranian leaders appeared to be trying to “outwait” U.S. negotiators, though he also assessed that Tehran was “negotiating on fumes.”
Vance outlined the core issues still under discussion: the disposition of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, parameters around future enrichment activities, and shared interest in reopening the Straits of Hormuz, a vital international maritime corridor. He noted that while progress has been substantial, specific language points remain in flux.
“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president is going to sign the agreement,” Vance said, emphasizing that any final arrangement would require robust verification. “You don’t take anything on faith,” he added, explaining that U.S. officials would monitor Iran’s commitment to forgo nuclear weapons development over time.
On the security front, Vance described the current ceasefire as “very much holding” when compared to the situation five or six weeks prior. He acknowledged that localized incidents can occur during ceasefires, noting that “sometimes the guys at the lower level aren’t communicating with the guys at the top level.” He reaffirmed the administration’s standing rules of engagement: “If we’re fired upon, we’re going to fire back.”
Vance pointed to three major potential achievements should talks conclude successfully: restoring navigation through the Straits of Hormuz, building on the significant degradation of Iran’s conventional military capabilities, and establishing durable constraints on Iran’s nuclear program that extend beyond the current presidential term. “We’re not there yet, but we’re very close,” he said. “We’re going to keep on working at it.”
The Vice President declined to promise a final agreement but expressed cautious optimism. He explained that even consensus on technical matters—such as eliminating enriched uranium stockpiles—requires careful planning around timing, verification access, and implementation logistics, particularly since sensitive materials have been buried deeply underground.
As diplomacy advances, the administration continues to pair negotiations with defensive military readiness, maintaining pressure while pursuing a verifiable, long-term resolution.
