US Vice President JD Vance stated that the US and Iran still need to\nresolve several key points before a peace deal can be reached. When\nasked if President Donald Trump was close to signing an agreement, Vance\nemphasised it was too early to confirm when or if both sides would\nfinalise the deal.<\/p>\n
The proposed deal is reported to extend the ceasefire for 60 days\nwhile launching formal talks on Iran\u2019s nuclear programme. This follows\nUS officials\u2019 claims that both countries had agreed on an initial\nframework, though Iran\u2019s semi-official Tasnim news agency denied the\ndeal had been confirmed.<\/p>\n
Vance explained that negotiators are currently engaged in intense\ndiscussions over the wording of the agreement, particularly regarding\nuranium enrichment. The US has long demanded Iran halt high-enriched\nuranium production and destroy existing stockpiles to prevent nuclear\nweapon development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not there yet, but we are very close and will continue to\npush for it,\u201d Vance told reporters in Washington DC, adding he believes\nIran is negotiating in \u201cgood faith\u201d.<\/p>\n
Since the initial ceasefire took effect on 8 April, President Trump\nhas repeatedly claimed both sides are close to a deal, though no\nsubstantive progress has been made on the ground. Trump faces mounting\npolitical pressure from Gulf allies, Democrats, and even within his own\nRepublican party over the conflict\u2019s duration.<\/p>\n
Amid the uncertainty, the White House has stressed that \u201cOption B\u201d\u2014a\nreturn to military operations\u2014remains prepared if talks stall.\nConversely, if the ceasefire is extended, both sides could shift to\ndiscussing complex technical issues, such as diluting Iran\u2019s uranium\nreserves on-site or in a third country.<\/p>\n
Leaked draft terms state the agreement would grant unrestricted\naccess to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for a fifth of\nglobal oil supplies. In return, Iran would have 30 days to clear mines,\nwhile the US would lift its maritime blockade and ease sanctions on\nIranian oil sales.<\/p>\n
Previously, Iranian state media released a 14-point draft memorandum\ndemanding US troop withdrawal from around Iran, which the White House\ndismissed as a \u201ccomplete lie\u201d. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also\nrefused to pre-empt the president\u2019s final decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is always a mistake to pre-empt the president, and this will all\nbe the president\u2019s decision,\u201d Bessent stressed.<\/p>\n
Tensions on the ground continue to escalate as both sides accuse each\nother of breaching the fragile ceasefire. Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary\nGuard Corps (IRGC) claimed it attacked a US military base following a US\nairstrike in southern Iran.<\/p>\n
Iranian media also claimed to have shot down a US aircraft or drone,\nbut US Central Command (CENTCOM) strongly denied the claim.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo US aircraft have been shot down. All US aerial assets have been\naccounted for and confirmed safe,\u201d CENTCOM stated on social media.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-vice-president-jd-vance-says-nuclear-issue-still-blocks-iran-deal-1780019506", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }