US Vice President J.D. Vance said on Wednesday that the full text of the agreement with Iran will be made public by Friday at the latest. In an interview with CBS, he said the delay in releasing the document came after mediators Qatar and Pakistan asked Washington to hold back the complete text for a short time.
Vance said the administration still wants to publish the deal as soon as possible to answer American public concerns, including questions about whether Iran is receiving huge financial concessions. He rejected reports that the agreement includes a $300 billion reconstruction package or the immediate release of all frozen Iranian assets, saying, "No money will be transferred to Iran unless it fundamentally changes its behavior toward the world." He added that the goal is to create incentives for Iran not to rebuild its nuclear program.
According to Vance, the deal is based on a policy of conditionality, under which Iran would have to prove it has stopped funding terrorism and abandoned its nuclear program before it can rejoin the global economy and receive sanctions relief. He also said the agreement would lead to an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as vital for calming markets, and predicted fuel prices would fall in the coming weeks.
A day earlier, Bloomberg published the full draft memorandum of understanding that has been taking shape between the United States and Iran. The draft reportedly calls for an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, a pledge by both sides to avoid hostile acts, threats or the use of force, and negotiations on a final agreement within 60 days, with the option to extend by mutual consent. It also says the United States would lift its naval blockade on Iran, restore shipping, and withdraw forces from surrounding areas within 30 days after the final accord, while Iran would work to reopen shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and remove obstacles and mines. The text further says Washington and regional partners would develop a plan to rebuild Iran’s economy worth at least $300 billion and move to remove all sanctions, including UN, IAEA and unilateral US sanctions.
