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Vance says details of US-Iran agreement still to be worked out amid scepticism from Republicans
JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in May. Photograph: Matt Rourke/Reuters View image in fullscreen JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in May. Photograph: Matt Rourke/Reuters Vance says details of US-Iran agreement still to be worked out amid scepticism from Republicans Senate Republicans say there are many unanswered questions about the deal and question inclusion of funds for Iran The US vice-president, JD Vance, has said a number of issues still need to be figured out with Iran, as many Republicans expressed scepticism of the agreement reached this week by Donald Trump , and pressed the White House to release more information about it. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) announced Sunday to end the war in Iran, set for a ceremonial signing on Friday in Geneva, is centred around reopening the strait of Hormuz and lifting the United States’ naval blockade in the region, along with financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks. In an interview with CNN on Monday, Vance called it “a very general document” with specifics of the deal to be worked out during further negotiations. Netanyahu declares victory over Iran – and rules out withdrawal from Lebanon Read more “The MOU … is about a page,” Vance said. “On a number of issues, we are going to have to figure this stuff out during the technical negotiation phase.” His comments came as many Senate Republicans who returned to Washington on Monday said there were still many unanswered questions about the deal and they need thorough briefings before it was finalised. “I just don’t know enough about it,” Republican John Thune told reporters in the Capitol. “Even the people who follow this stuff closely up here don’t know that much about it.” Congressional leaders and intelligence committees generally receive higher-level intelligence briefings before rank-and-file members, and they are notified of major developments before they are announced. But Thune, who is the Senate majority leader, said he had not been personally briefed on the deal. “I think that my understanding of what it entails – and, again, not having seen anything … I think the issues are going to be compliance, and how are you going to enforce that,” Thune said. Thune’s concerns were echoed by several other Republican senators. “If it’s a secret deal then how can I take it seriously?” asked Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Trump has not yet explained how his agreement will address Iran’s nuclear program , including who will be in charge of verifying that Iran is in compliance and who will destroy or remove highly enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites that were badly damaged by US strikes last summer. 10:03 Will US-Iran peace deal hold? - The Latest The memorandum of understanding also includes the possibility of releasing Iran’s frozen funds, sanctions relief and a $300bn fund to help rebuild Iran if Tehran meets certain benchmar
