US Vice President JD Vance has termed the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran as a short and broadly framed document, saying many of the finer issues will be negotiated at a later date.
Speaking to CNN on Monday, Vance described the agreement as a “very general document” of about a page and a half, saying detailed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme and other sensitive matters would take place during a 60-day negotiation period scheduled to begin on Friday.
“On a number of issues, we are going to have to figure this stuff out during the technical negotiation phase,” Vance said.
The comments came as senior US officials said the full text of the memorandum is expected to be released within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The agreement is expected to extend the ceasefire between the US and Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and launch a new round of negotiations focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.
However, major disagreements remain over sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian assets.
Iran’s IRGC claims that billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds will be released before negotiations begin, though US officials have sharply rejected that claim.
Vance said reports suggesting Iran would receive assets before meeting its obligations were “definitely not true”. He suggested such claims may be coming from hardline factions inside Iran seeking to present the agreement more favourably to a domestic audience.
According to Vance, any sanctions relief would depend on Iranian compliance.
“There is really a big opportunity for the Iranians, but they only get the benefit of that opportunity if they do the things they promise they’re going to do,” he stressed.
The shape of any final nuclear agreement remains uncertain, and it is not clear whether the two sides can reach a comprehensive deal within the 60-day window.
Iran has stated that upcoming negotiations will focus only on nuclear issues. Tehran has also said that its ballistic missile programme and support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah will not be part of the talks.
Vance acknowledged that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains Washington’s primary objective.
At the same time, he said Washington also expects broader changes in Iran’s regional behaviour.
“We certainly expect that as part of our broader agreement, Iran is going to stop funding terrorist organisations,” he added.
Pointing to the language in the memorandum, Vance noted that the document requires Iran to commit to “regional peace and stability,” describing it as an important part of the overall framework.
