The United States and Iran are currently navigating a critical phase in negotiations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Vice President JD Vance describing the situation as being "in the middle of the game." These discussions come as Iran has presented a series of demands to the U.S. as a condition for restoring vital shipping through the strategic chokepoint.
Vance, who was involved in a "Memorandum of Understanding" with Iran in June, told Fox News on Saturday that both nations are engaged in an ongoing process. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, indicated that his country and Oman are nearing an agreement on the matter. Vance expressed confidence that the same volume of oil will eventually flow through the strait as before the conflict, which began on February 28, though he did not detail the specific plan for achieving this.
"We're applying a whole host of tools – diplomatic, economic, military tools – to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people," Vance stated during an interview. "I feel quite confident we will get there, but we're still a bit in the middle of the game."
President Trump previously indicated that a deal "could be soon," and market reactions have been positive amid signs of progress. Oil prices have seen a decrease.
Addressing concerns about potential tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, which was previously free of such charges, Vance noted that Iran has stated it has no plans to impose them. He also mentioned that Iran had deployed a "large number of mines" early in the conflict. The current focus of negotiations is on establishing a secure traffic scheme to ensure safe passage for vessels.
"They're hurting in a big way. They want this thing to be over," Vance commented on Iran's position. "The question is whether they're able, their system is able to give the things that are necessary for us to be happy, for us to feel like we've gotten what we need out of this particular engagement. That is still to be determined."
Iran has been targeting U.S. bases in allied nations, including Jordan and Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's National Security Council, outlined several demands that the U.S. must meet for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. These demands include an end to the U.S. blockade, withdrawal of forces, cessation of sanctions, and reparations. While these issues were raised in prior discussions, the U.S. has previously linked economic measures to Iran's commitment to ending its nuclear program. According to Iran International, Zolghadr stated that the strait would not reopen until the U.S. "corrects its behavior," which he defined as ensuring Iran is never threatened or humiliated, ending aggression against Iran and its allies permanently, lifting the naval blockade, withdrawing U.S. naval and air forces from around Iran, compensating for war damages, lifting sanctions, and releasing Iran's frozen assets. He asserted that the Supreme National Security Council would not compromise on these points, whether in war or negotiations.