Vice President Vance said Thursday that the United States and Iran were still “going back and forth” on key issues related to nuclear negotiations between the two countries.
Vance described the situation as the two sides being “very close” to finalizing an agreement, though he acknowledged that several sticking points continued to complicate the process.
The two countries have reached a tentative deal that would extend an already-fragile ceasefire for a period of 60 days, according to details outlined in the discussions.
The tentative agreement would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that plays a significant role in global energy markets and international shipping routes.
Beyond the ceasefire extension and the Strait of Hormuz provisions, the deal would launch further talks on the future of Tehran’s broader nuclear program.
Vance’s comments on Thursday offered one of the clearest public acknowledgements from the administration that negotiations with Iran had reached an advanced but still unresolved stage.
The phrase “going back and forth” used by Vance suggests both sides remain in active dialogue, even as the final terms of any formal agreement have yet to be locked down.
The prospect of a 60-day ceasefire extension signals that both governments are attempting to create enough diplomatic space to work through the remaining disagreements before any deal collapses.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz would carry major implications for global oil supply chains, as the waterway is one of the most strategically important maritime corridors in the world.
The administration has not confirmed a timeline for when a final agreement could be announced, leaving the outcome of the talks still uncertain as negotiations continue.