Vance says US and Iran close but “not there yet” on initial deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Security talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place on Friday at the Pentagon, according to Lebanese media, after a week of increased Israeli military action along the shared border between the two countries, prompting Israeli troops to advance on the neighboring nation.

Citing unnamed sources, Lebanon’s Aljadeed TV reported on Thursday that the meeting is expected to pave the way for political talks scheduled for June 2.

Lebanese media reports said the Lebanese army delegation will be led by Brig. Gen. Georges Rizkallah, Director of Operations of the Lebanese Army.

The delegation is expected to push for the strengthening of the ongoing ceasefire agreement, which has been disrupted by the ongoing war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

The Lebanese side is expected to present a paper explaining the problems faced by the Lebanese government in disarming Hezbollah, and the challenges the army faces in carrying out its duty to protect the country.

Israeli officials are expected to push for a joint security and military strategy aimed at strengthening border control, including the creation of a joint operations room – a proposal that will be contentious in Lebanon.

The Israeli army issued further evacuation orders on Friday, on the other hand, telling residents of several Lebanese villages that Hezbollah was operating near their homes and that they should flee for their safety.

The cooperation agreement between Iran and the United States is “not finalized and not confirmed,” a report by Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Thursday evening, citing a source close to the country’s negotiating team.

“Contrary to what Western sources say, the text of a possible memorandum of understanding has not been finalized or confirmed so far,” the source was quoted as saying, adding that Tehran had not informed Pakistani mediators of any finalized draft.

Once the draft is completed, they added, “Iran will announce it to the Pakistani mediator and the public. Until then, any narrative from Western sources that the draft has been completed is incorrect.”

US sources told a press conference at the White House earlier Thursday that a tentative agreement had been reached on a joint deal that would see a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and talks on controversial issues including Iran’s nuclear program, but that it was still awaiting President Trump’s approval.

Asked last Thursday about efforts to reach an agreement, Vice President JD Vance told reporters: “We’re not there yet, but we’re very close, and we’ll continue to work on it.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Friday, as Pakistan helps mediate indirect talks between the US and Iran.

Rubio and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker met at 10 a.m. in Washington with Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s deputy prime minister, according to Rubio’s public schedule.

The meeting comes as the US and Iran negotiate a deal that would extend their 60-day moratorium and resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Vice President JD Vance said last Thursday that negotiators are “still going back and forth” and making progress, adding later, “we’re not there yet, but we’re very close.”

The Treasury Department imposed new sanctions Thursday on firms accused of helping Iran’s military-run oil company export its oil, as the Trump administration seeks to limit Iran’s ability to make money from oil sales to China and other markets.

The ministry said the military-run fuel company is “dependent[s] access to shadowy vessels willing to transport military oil.”

The new sanctions target several Hong Kong-based companies suspected of involvement in the network, including two watchdogs, two front companies of a military-run firm and a company that supplies refined petroleum products as fuel to Iran’s state oil company.

Eight ships were also allowed.

Asked about efforts to strike a deal with Iran, Vice President JD Vance told reporters Thursday: “We’re not there yet, but we’re very close, and we’ll continue to work on it.”

Vice President JD Vance said the US is still negotiating with Iran on the terms of a potential deal between the two countries, and it is not clear when or if President Trump will sign the deal, although he added that negotiators have “made great progress.”

Asked by reporters if Mr Trump would sign a memorandum of understanding that the two sides are discussing, Vance said: “It’s hard to say exactly when, or if, the president will sign the MOU. We’re going back and forth on a few points of language.”

Vance said the Iranian negotiators are “looking for a deal,” although they are still discussing some points, including possible limits on Iran’s nuclear program.

“We’re going back and forth with them. We think they’re negotiating at least so far in good faith, and we’re making a little bit of progress,” the vice president said as he returned to Washington after delivering the inaugural address at the Air Force Academy. “We hope that we will continue to improve [and] the president will be in a position to approve the deal, but that’s obviously still TBD.”

US sources told the White House newspaper earlier Thursday that a compromise agreement had been reached to extend the US-Iran moratorium by 60 days and open talks on Iran’s nuclear program, pending Mr. Tehran has not yet given its response to the latest version.

A tentative agreement has been reached on a 60-day cooperation agreement to extend the ceasefire and continue talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but is pending President Trump’s approval, US sources told White House press.

Axios first reported the proposed deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to brief reporters on Thursday afternoon.

In the past, Mr. Trump has been critical of potential deals. On Wednesday, he stressed that any deal must be good.

“I think they’re starting to give us the things they’re supposed to give us, and if they do, that’s great, and if they don’t, the man on my left will get rid of them,” said Mr. Trump on Iran on Wednesday. “Attack them.”