Vance says Trump is seeking a "grand bargain" with Iran

Washington (ANTARA) - US Vice President J.D. Vance has said that US President Donald Trump is pursuing a comprehensive agreement with Iran and not a limited deal. Speaking at an event in Georgia on Tuesday (14/4), Vance described the ongoing negotiations as part of a broader strategy alongside the ceasefire that has been in effect for nearly a week. “What’s interesting about this is that we have a ceasefire that’s been running, I think six or seven days now. That ceasefire is still holding,” Vance said. He added that Trump does not want to make a “small deal”. “He (Trump) wants to make a big deal and basically what he’s offering to Iran is very simple. He says that ‘if Iran is willing to act like a normal country, then we are willing to treat Iran economically like a normal country’. Trump doesn’t want a small deal,” he explained. The talks are part of broader efforts to end the US-Israel attacks on Iran launched since 28 February, which have killed more than 3,300 people, before a two-week ceasefire was agreed last week. Vance also acknowledged that a final agreement has not yet been reached following those negotiations. According to him, this is due to pressure from the Trump administration for Iran not to possess nuclear weapons. “The President (Trump) really wants a deal where Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons,” he stressed. The US and Israel accuse Iran of running a nuclear and missile programme that threatens the region, while Tehran insists its programme is peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons. “We will continue to negotiate. This will be very good for the world, our country, and all parties,” he said. Meanwhile, Trump has also expressed optimism that direct talks with Iran could resume soon, even within the next two days in Pakistan. Vance also acknowledged the remaining distrust between the two sides. “You can’t solve that problem overnight, but we are negotiating in good faith and will continue to do so,” Vance said.