Vance Defends U.S.-Iran Deal, Says America Provided No Direct Funding

According to Vice President JD Vance at Thursday's White House press briefing on June 18, the Trump administration defended a temporary peace agreement with Iran, emphasizing that the United States provided no direct funding to Iran. Vance stated that Iranian economic benefits depend entirely on full compliance with the deal, which includes lifting certain sanctions, unfreezing assets, and a $300 billion reconstruction plan.

Vance argued that lifting sanctions was not a major concession, as sanctions had already become "essentially ineffective" in limiting Iran's oil exports. He added that removing sanctions would allow the U.S. to better monitor Iranian financial flows. Under the accord, a 60-day window for military operations to remain paused and the Strait of Hormuz to remain open began on Thursday to facilitate final agreement negotiations.