US close to deal addressing Iran's nuclear program 'for the long term,' VP Vance says - report

The United States is nearing an agreement with Iran that aims to address the country's nuclear program for the long term, according to US Vice President JD Vance. Vance told CBS News that the deal could be finalized in the coming weeks or months.

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I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear program, not just now... but for the long term, to where my kids can say when they're adults, 'Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon.'

"I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear program, not just now... but for the long term, to where my kids can say when they're adults, 'Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon,'" Vance said. He expressed confidence that the US is "very close to achieving that goal," though he acknowledged there is still work to be done.

Vance suggested that the agreement might be reached before the midterm elections in November. He also addressed concerns about trusting Iran during negotiations, stating that the administration's approach relies on its own ability to negotiate and the strength of the enforcement provisions that will be put in place. "I don't trust anybody. I don't trust anybody. What I do trust is my own ability to negotiate. I trust our administration's ability to negotiate, and I trust the enforcement provisions that we're going to get in place," he said.

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That's the goal of the policy. And I think we're very close to achieving that goal. But we still got some wood to chop. We're going to keep doing it.

During his remarks, Vance indicated that he does not believe the Iranian negotiation party is intentionally delaying the process. He attributed potential delays to the nature of Iran's decision-making system, which he described as taking a long time to reach consensus. The Vice President's comments signal a potential diplomatic breakthrough in addressing one of the most significant international security concerns.

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I always hear people ask me, 'Do you trust the Iranians?' And what the president has said is: 'I don't trust anybody. I don't trust anybody. What I do trust is my own ability to negotiate. I trust our administration's ability to negotiate, and I trust the enforcement provisions that we're going to get in place.'