vice-president J.D. Vance defended the president that of Donald Trump interim peace agreement Thursday, insisting that the United States does not pay the Islamic Republic and that any economic benefit to Iran depends on full compliance with the deal.
“The United States is not giving a cent to Iran,” Vance said.
Vance’s comments came as the White House faced Republican backlash over whether Trump gave too much to Iran in a 14-point memorandum of understanding that includes sanctions relief, access to frozen funds and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction plan.
“The only way for the Iranians to obtain these resources (…) is to fully respect” the terms of the agreement.
Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khameneialso called the deal conditional, saying Thursday that he only authorized the memorandum after receiving assurances that Iran’s rights and the “resistance front” would be protected.
“In principle, I had a different opinion,” Khamenei said in a statement.
Khamenei said he authorized deal after Iranian president Massoud Pezeshkianwho also heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has accepted responsibility for safeguarding Iran’s interests.
The ayatollah said Iran would wait to see if the conditions were met, warning that future direct talks with the United States did not involve submission to “the enemy’s opinion.”
Vance pushed back against criticism that lifting of sanctions represented a major problem concession.
“The choke point on Iranian oil has never been sanctions. We don’t view this as a major concession to the Iranians,” Vance said.
Vance argued that Iran was already sell oil despite U.S. sanctions, which he called “fundamentally ineffective” at the time the deal was struck. He said lifting sanctions could actually give the United States more visibility into Iran’s financial activity.
“By lifting the sanctions, we’re going to be able to see a little bit of where their financial system is sending and receiving money,” Vance said. “This is a real benefit to the American people.”
Vance added that Iran “nuclear program was completely destroyed,” presenting the deal as the next step in Trump’s pressure campaign rather than a concession to Tehran.
“Now we see if they are willing to comply with the next step of the president’s peace plan,” Vance said.
The agreement, signed by Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian, ends military operations for now and reopens the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days to open a negotiate window for final agreement. Vance said the 60-day period, which can be extended, began Thursday.
Vance argued the deal could reshape the region if Iran follows through.
“If they change their behavior, they will have a transformative relationship with the Middle East,” Vance said.
Vance also issued a stern warning to Israeli critics of the deal, saying they should be careful when criticizing Trump.
“Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the world who currently sympathizes with the nation of Israel,” Vance said. “If I were in the cabinet of the Israeli governmentperhaps I am not attacking the only one powerful ally I have somewhere left in the world,” he added.
Vance continued: “Over the past three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected your homeland have been built by American hands and financed by American taxpayer dollars.”
It’s an unusually sharp rebuke to Israeli officials as the Trump administration struggles to defend a deal that has drawn bipartisan criticism.
“Donald Trump thinks the Iranian regime is going to voluntarily give up all this enriched uranium. I think he’s making a bad bet,” the senator said. Mark WarnerD-Va., said Thursday.
Warner continued: “Take the reports of what Secretary Rubio or Director Ratcliffe said. Take the comments from my Republican friends on this. I think this will go down as one of the worst follies, clearly the worst international folly, of Mr. Trump’s tenure.”
Nikki HaleyTrump’s former ambassador to the UN, said in a social media post On Wednesday, hitting Iran’s nuclear and missile sites was “the right decision,” but he added: “It’s a huge mistake pay to rebuild the threat we just destroyed. »
The senator Ted CruzR-Texas, questioned whether the reconstruction plan would amount to giving money to Iranian leaders.
“Is he giving $300 billion to the Iranian Ayatollah?” Cruz asked. on his podcast. “I don’t hope. I don’t pray.”
Israel is not party to the agreement. The country’s conflict with Hezbollah has strained negotiations between the United States and Iran, prompting recent rebukes from Trump over the military campaign in Lebanon.
Vance said lawmakers received an official copy of the signed document Thursday morning or will get it later in the day. He said the administration was planning a formal briefing for Congress “very soon.”
However, Vance said the administration “feels pretty confident” in its ability to temporarily lift some sanctions without congressional approval.
A copy of the memorandum of understanding sent to members of Congress obtained by CNBC.
A copy of the memorandum of understanding sent to members of Congress obtained by CNBC.
A copy of the memorandum of understanding sent to members of Congress obtained by CNBC.