Vice President JD Vance commented on Saturday that the United States and Iran are currently “in the middle of the game,” as Iran has put forward several demands for the U.S. to meet in order to reopen crucial shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance, who played a role in negotiating a “Memorandum of Understanding” with Iran’s government in June, spoke with Fox News on Saturday. During the interview, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, indicated that his nation and Oman were nearing an agreement to resume shipping through the strait.
Vance stated that eventually, the “same amount of oil” would be transported through the strait as before the conflict, which began with the U.S. and Israel launching an attack on February 28. However, he did not provide specifics on how this would be achieved.
“We’re really in the middle of the game here. This thing is not over. It’s obviously not at the beginning. We’re in the middle of the game, and we’re applying a whole host of tools – diplomatic, economic, military tools – to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people,” he stated during an interview with Kayleigh McEnany on her “Saturday in America” show.
“I feel quite confident we will get there, but we’re still a bit in the middle of the game,” he added.
President Trump mentioned on Thursday that a deal “could be soon.” The markets have reacted favorably to signs of progress, with oil prices dropping.
“The Iranians have told us they have no plans to toll the Strait of Hormuz,” Vance said, addressing the concerns that Iran and Oman might impose tolls on the critical waterway, which was free before the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.
He also noted that Iran had laid a “large number of mines” early in the conflict.
“What we’re really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely,” he explained.
“They’re hurting in a big way,” Vance said. “They want this thing to be over. The question is whether they’re able, their system is able to give the things that are necessary for us to be happy, for us to feel like we’ve gotten what we need out of this particular engagement. That is still to be determined.”
Iran has been targeting US bases in allied countries, including Jordan and Kuwait.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, outlined various demands that the US must meet to reopen the strait. These include lifting the blockade, withdrawing forces, ending sanctions, and paying reparations. These issues were also discussed in earlier negotiations, but the US has been linking economic measures to Iran ceasing its nuclear program.
He stated that the strait would not reopen until the US “corrects its behavior,” as reported by Iranian state media, Iran International.
“Correcting its behavior means that Iran must never again be threatened or humiliated, aggression against Iran and its allies must end permanently, the naval blockade must be lifted, US naval and air forces must withdraw from around Iran, war damages must be compensated, sanctions must be lifted and Iran’s frozen assets must be released,” he said.
He added: “The Supreme National Security Council will never back down, whether in war or in negotiations.”
