Vice President JD Vance told Fox News Digital in a sit-down interview why this deal with Iran will strengthen America's hand.
EXCLUSIVE:Vice PresidentJD Vancesaid Tehran is effectively entering a probationary period under the Trump administration's agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran required to demonstrate through its actions — not its promises — that it has abandoned nuclear weapons development. support for terrorism.
"The thing I've learned from the President of the United States is whether friend or foe. you shouldn't trust anybody, you shouldtrust people's actions," Vance told Fox News Digital in a sit-down interview. "That's why the way this agreement is built is that if they act in the right way. if they behave in the way, they get a lot of benefits."
The agreement would test whether Iran is willing to trade decades of isolation for economic relief. renewed ties with the West. While Tehran could gain access to sanctions relief. foreign investment, administration officials say those benefits will depend on whether Iran can prove it has abandoned its nuclear ambitions and support for terrorist organizations during a 60-day negotiating period.
"TheIranians have two pathways. If they behave like a normal country. if they don't try to build nukes, if they try to fund terrorism, then the United States is going to change our relationship with Iran. We're going to lift some sanctions. We're going to welcome them back into the international community," Vance said.
JD VANCE SAYS IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM 'SUBSTANTIALLY' SET BACK AFTER 'PRECISE, SURGICAL' US STRIKES
Vance tells Fox News Digital the U.S.-Iran deal tests whether Tehran will trade decades of isolation for sanctions relief. renewed Western ties.(Fox News Digital)
He said the United States would be prepared to ease sanctions. normalize relations with Tehran, including welcoming it back into the international community, if Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions and ceases support for terrorism.
But if Iran attempts to rebuild what Vance described as its "destroyed" nuclear program or continues fundingterrorist groups. Vance said it would forfeit any benefits offered under the agreement.
Under consideration is a proposed $300 billion investment fund for Iran. would be financed by private companies seeking to do business in the country.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES PEACE DEAL WITH IRAN, DECLARES STRAIT OF HORMUZ WILL REOPEN: 'LET THE OIL FLOW!'
Ships are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on May 4.(Amirhossein Khorgooei/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)
"If they're serious, the president has said we want to have a good relationship with them. And if they are not serious, of course, westill have all the optionswe have today. We'll continue to have them a month from now, two months from now as well," Vance said.
Vance argued that with theStrait of Hormuz remaining open. the United States is in a stronger economic position to confront Iran.
"Oil is flowing, gas is flowing. It's ticking back up every single day. We think within a week, two weeks, you're going to see the substantial resumption of the oil and gas flows. So that meansenergy prices come downfor Americans," Vance said.
JD VANCE REVEALS DETAILS OF US-IRAN DEAL, ADDRESSES WHETHER TAXPAYER MONEY WILL GO TO TEHRAN
Trump, Vance. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have signed the memorandum, paving the way for a formal signing ceremony later this week.(ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)
Oil prices fell on Monday to their lowest levels since early March after a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement raised hopes. traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could soon return to normal.
"It gives us a little bit more time, fundamentally, but the most important thing it does for us is it strengthens our hand, it allows some of the oil to flow,. it fundamentally allows us to seeare they serious or not," Vance said.
Trump, Vance. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have signed the memorandum, paving the way for aformal signing ceremony later thisweek, according to officials.
Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for Fox News Digital.
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