Vance: US-Iran Peace Agreement ‘Very Close’ as Negotiations Continue

Vice President JD Vance stated Thursday that the United States and Iran are nearing a potential peace agreement, though he emphasized that final details remain unresolved. Speaking to reporters following a commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, Vance said Iranian officials “want a deal” and have been negotiating “at least so far in good faith.”

The remarks come as U.S. military forces continue defensive strikes on Iranian targets while diplomatic teams work to finalize terms of a long-term agreement. Earlier this week during a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump accused Iranian leaders of attempting to “outwait” him in negotiations, but also characterized Tehran as “negotiating on fumes.”

Vance acknowledged that significant issues remain under discussion, including the status of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, questions surrounding enrichment activities, and mutual interest in reopening the Straits of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane.

“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president is going to sign the agreement,” Vance said, noting that negotiators continue working through specific language points. He stressed that verification mechanisms would be essential to any final deal. “You don’t take anything on faith,” he said, adding that the United States would monitor Iran’s commitments not to build or procure a nuclear program over time.

Addressing questions about ongoing military activity, Vance described the current ceasefire as “very much holding” compared to conditions five or six weeks ago, while acknowledging that “ceasefires are always a little messy.” He noted that flare-ups can occur when lower-level personnel are not fully coordinated with leadership, but affirmed the administration’s policy: “If we’re fired upon, we’re going to fire back.”

Vance highlighted several potential outcomes should negotiations succeed: reopening the Straits of Hormuz, building upon the degradation of Iran’s conventional military capabilities, and establishing long-term constraints on Iran’s nuclear program. “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 guarantee a final agreement would be reached but expressed optimism about the trajectory of talks. He noted that even technical agreements—such as destroying enriched uranium stockpiles—require detailed planning regarding timing, access, and implementation, particularly given that sensitive materials have been buried deeply underground.

As negotiations continue, the administration maintains its dual approach of diplomatic engagement coupled with defensive military readiness.