Vance: Iran deal could happen in week or months from now

US Vice President JD Vance has said Washington is “very close” to reaching a potential agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear programme, though he noted that a deal could be concluded within days, weeks, or even months.

In an interview with Robert Costa airing on CBS, Vance said he believes the United States is in a position to secure a deal that serves both economic and long-term security interests.

“Right now, I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear program, not just now, not just while Donald Trump is president, but for the long term, to where my kids can say when they're adults, 'Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon,'” Vance said.

“That’s the goal of the policy. And I think we’re very close to achieving that goal. But we still got some wood to chop. We’re going to keep doing it,” he added.

Vance said a potential agreement could come “absolutely” before the US midterm elections scheduled for November.

“I think we’re going to know a lot before the midterm elections,” he said. “Look, I think that the deal could happen in the next week, but the deal could also happen months from now.”

His comments come as President Donald Trump also signalled progress in negotiations, saying on June 9 that talks with Iran were in their “final throes” and suggesting a deal could be reached within “two or three days.”

By Sabina Mammadli