Vance hopes to release text of agreement to halt war in Iran this week

[WASHINGTON] US Vice-President JD Vance said on Monday (Jun 15) that he hopes the text of an agreement to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz will be released this week, as further negotiations over the deal’s details are set to continue.

He also said the US expects the economically vital waterway to be open without tolls on a long-term basis.

“Our expectation is that the strait is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long-term,” he said.

“That’s the sort of thing that we’re going to figure out in these technical negotiations. You know that there are a lot of very important details to figure out that we’re actually going to sit at the table and discuss together and figure out a path forward.”

The US and Iran said they had agreed terms to end their war and reopen the strait, in news that brought relief to markets, although the pact may hinge on an end to hostilities in Lebanon, with talks on Teheran’s nuclear programme deferred.

While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets, since it began with joint US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.

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Vance said Iran’s foreign minister and House speaker will represent Iran at the signing in Switzerland on Friday, and many details of the deal are still to be sorted out.

He did not say who would represent the US at the signing. REUTERS