Overview

US Vice President JD Vance has said that Washington is committed to continuing negotiations with Iran and believes Tehran is aiming for a deal, even as a fragile two-week ceasefire hangs in the balance following the collapse of weekend talks in Islamabad.

Speaking at a forum at Georgia State University on Tuesday, Vance acknowledged that mistrust between the two countries cannot be resolved overnight, but expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying "we made a ton of progress" during the talks in Pakistan. He reiterated that President Donald Trump's goal is not a "small deal" but a "grand bargain" that would see Iran renounce nuclear weapons and cease state sponsorship of terrorism in exchange for being treated "economically like a normal country."

Coverage Comparison

Multiple outlets covered Vance's remarks, with variations in emphasis. Al Jazeera focused on the wider strategic context, noting that the American negotiating team in Islamabad includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and highlighted Tehran's desperation for sanctions relief. Deutsche Welle and Yonhap reported Vance's "grand bargain" comments and his assessment that Iranian negotiators "wanted to make a deal." The Jerusalem Post, with an Israeli perspective, noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public as the negotiations were underway, and carried the US assurance that it remains committed to shared goals with Israel during the talks.

Russian state agency TASS quoted Vance as saying the US wants to ensure global oil and gas trade remains unhindered, and reported Trump's statement that a bilateral ceasefire between the US and Iran will be in force for two weeks, subject to Iran agreeing to the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Claims

  • US commitment to negotiations: Vance stated that the US is committed to continuing negotiations and will "keep on negotiating in good faith," according to TASS.
  • Iranian intent: Vance said he believes Iranian negotiators "wanted to make a deal," a claim reported by multiple outlets including Deutsche Welle, the Jerusalem Post, and Yonhap.
  • Nuclear suspension proposals: The US proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity, while Iran countered with a proposal to suspend nuclear activity for up to five years, as reported by Yonhap and the Jerusalem Post, citing The New York Times.
  • "Grand bargain" offer: Vance described Trump's desire for a comprehensive agreement that would allow Iran to "thrive and prosper" and "join the world economy" in exchange for renouncing nuclear weapons, as quoted by DW and Yonhap.
  • Two-week ceasefire: Trump announced a two-week bilateral ceasefire, which is "subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz," according to TASS. Vance said Tuesday that according to Washington's assessments, "the ceasefire is holding" (TASS).

Perspectives

US perspective

Vance repeatedly emphasized that the US is negotiating "in good faith" and seeking a comprehensive deal that would be "great for the world, great for our country, great for everybody." He noted the historic nature of the talks, saying meetings "at that level" had not occurred between the US and Iran in 47 years. He also stressed the importance of unhindered global oil and gas trade, accusing Iran of "acts of economic terrorism" (TASS).

Iranian perspective

Vance said Iranian negotiators, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, "wanted to make a deal." He described Ghalibaf as "effectively running the country in Iran." The Iranian counterproposal for a shorter nuclear suspension period suggests Tehran is seeking a less restrictive arrangement, though no official Iranian statements were quoted in the available reports.

Israeli perspective

The Jerusalem Post reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public during the negotiations, and that the United States assured Israel it remains committed to shared goals with Israel and its regional allies in the upcoming negotiations. This highlights Israel's vested interest in the outcome of any US-Iran agreement, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program and regional influence.

International observers

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it is "highly probable" that US-Iran talks will resume, according to Deutsche Welle. The two-week ceasefire, announced by Trump on April 7, remains in effect but is seen as fragile, with talks having collapsed over the weekend and a US blockade on Iranian ports imposed after the breakdown, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

As the ceasefire clock ticks down, the coming days will test whether the two sides can bridge their differences over the scope and duration of any nuclear suspension. Vance expressed confidence that "we can get a response from the Iranians," and reiterated that the US will "keep on fighting to make it happen."