Vice President JD Vance on Monday sought to dial back expectations after President Donald Trump suggested the Strait of Hormuz would remain permanently open to ships without tolls.
In a television interview, Vance said the matter has not yet been finalized and remains part of ongoing talks.
“Our expectation is that the strait is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long term, and that’s the sort of thing that we’re going to figure out in these technical negotiations,” Vance told CNBC, offering a more cautious assessment than Trump’s earlier remarks.
His comments appeared to diverge from the president’s assertion that the vital shipping corridor — which carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — would be guaranteed free passage.
Vance also hinted that Trump could make an unexpected appearance at a signing ceremony later this week for a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
The agreement, which would extend the current ceasefire with Iran, is expected to be signed Friday in Geneva. Trump has said the deal is already “complete” and that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be lifted.
Iranian officials have said that a peace deal framework is ‘close’ but have not confirmed that the deal will be signed on Friday.
‘I think we’re still figuring out the logistics on who’s going to attend that signing ceremony,’ Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday. ‘I certainly plan to be there, but it’s possible the President himself could be there.’
JD Vance said that the permanence of a ‘toll-free’ Strait of Hormuz is still up in the air after President Donald Trump claimed it would be ‘permanently toll-free’
The US Navy has had a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz for months to restrict Iran’s ability to sell oil on the global market
Typically, the US Secret Service recommends against the Vice President and the President traveling abroad at the same time due to security concerns.
Should the President wish to attend the ceremony, his team may have to scramble to redo the Republican’s schedule, as he is attending the Group of Seven meeting in France this week before returning to the US midweek. Trump touched down in Geneva on Monday, ahead of the summit in the neighboring country.
It is possible that if Trump wishes to return to Switzerland for the ceremony on Friday, he could extend his stay in Europe by several days rather than going back to the US.
Trump has said since last week that Vance will be leading the US delegation at the signing ceremony.
Vance also told Fox News on Monday that the MOU had already been signed. ‘We already signed the deal digitally yesterday, and there’s been no money released and that won’t change.’
The Trump administration has for months signaled dozens of times that a peace deal is near at hand.
Previously, it was reported that a likely signing ceremony in Switzerland was expected on Sunday, though that did not occur, and Vance was spotted at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House on Sunday evening.
The memorandum of understanding is expected to provide a framework to extend the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire for 60 days as both sides negotiate the details of a lasting peace agreement.
The war, and the restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, have caused global gas prices to spike
The MOU is expected to include provisions that would provide peace between the US and Iran as well as Israel and Lebanon
The White House has stated that any agreement with Iran would include provisions to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a senior administration official, it would ensure that Iran’s nuclear material would be destroyed and removed from the country, and its nuclear enrichment capabilities would be decommissioned.
It would also provide a framework for peace between Israel, Lebanon and Gulf nations.
Should Iran implement the changes, the US would, in turn, provide performance-based sanctions relief and economic reintegration.
The exact language of the deal has not been released.
The White House has been contacted for comment.
