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“We’ve seen that just in their behavior over the last couple of days. They certainly recognize that the United States has great leverage. Will that ultimately lead to a change in behavior? I don’t know,” Vance said.
Rather than promising guaranteed success, Vance acknowledged that many critics remain deeply skeptical of any agreement involving the Iranian regime. Still, he argued that President Trump has structured the deal so America comes out ahead regardless of Tehran’s next move.
“You know, I’ve seen skeptics of the deal. People say the Iranians will never change their behavior. Well, maybe that’s true, and if so, they don’t get any of the benefits of the bargain. But isn’t it worth trying? Isn’t it worth seeing whether this incredibly weakened position that the president of the United States has put the Iranians under, whether that motivates them to change their behavior, not just vis-a-vis the West, but vis-a-vis the Middle East?” Vance asked.
The vice president also urged Americans to pay close attention to the reaction from Middle Eastern allies rather than relying solely on political commentators or foreign policy experts in Washington.
“And one of the interesting things about this is, you know, the technical details of this we can, of course, get into. There are going to be any number of opinions about the negotiation, about where it’s ultimately going to go,” Vance said.
“But I tend to think that you should trust the people who know the Iranians the best and who have the most to lose. What are the Gulf Arab states saying about this deal?” the VP remarked.
Vance contrasted President Trump’s agreement with the Obama administration’s controversial 2015 nuclear accord, arguing that America’s regional partners viewed the two deals very differently.
“What are they saying about this deal compared to the JCPOA in 2015? This is the Obama nuclear deal,” Vance charged.
“Well, back then, they hated that deal. They felt like it empowered the Iranians to be bad actors across the region. And, of course, that’s exactly what happened. They were right about that. What are they saying about the president’s peace deal?” the VP continued.
According to Vance, Gulf nations now see Trump’s agreement as a major opportunity to reshape the region while keeping Iran under intense pressure.
“They’re saying this is an amazingly transformative thing for the region, because either way, we and the broader region win. Iran is weakened, their nuclear program destroyed, their economy in desperate straits,” Vance said.
He concluded by emphasizing what he believes is the central strength of President Trump’s negotiating strategy.
“And if they change their behavior, big things are going to happen for Iran and for the world. If they don’t, no skin off our backs. Either way, we win. And that’s the way the president has set up this deal and this negotiation.”
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Throughout the week, Vance has also worked to counter reports claiming the agreement secretly includes a massive reconstruction package worth hundreds of billions of dollars for Iran. The vice president flatly rejected those claims and promised the administration would soon make the full agreement available for public review.
“We’ll be releasing the text this week,” Vance said.
“What everybody will see is that Iran doesn’t get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations.”
Administration officials echoed that message, stressing that no frozen Iranian assets have been released, no sanctions have been lifted, and no direct financial payments have been approved under the agreement.
Instead, officials explained that any future economic relief would only become available if Iran completely fulfills strict conditions tied to its nuclear program. Those requirements reportedly include permanently abandoning efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, eliminating enriched nuclear material, and accepting extensive international verification before meaningful sanctions relief could even be considered.
Officials further noted that while Gulf nations could eventually participate in reconstruction investments inside Iran, those opportunities would only arise if Tehran fully complies with every aspect of the agreement.
Another major development tied to the agreement involves the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Administration officials say they expect the critical waterway to fully reopen following Friday’s signing ceremony, a move that could have significant implications for global shipping routes and energy markets.
For the Trump administration, the message remains straightforward: Iran receives no financial windfall unless it meets every obligation, while the United States maintains maximum leverage throughout the process. Supporters argue the agreement represents a dramatic departure from previous diplomatic efforts, placing the burden squarely on Tehran to prove it is willing to change before receiving any meaningful economic benefits.
