US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2026.
Ken Cedeno | AFP | Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump’s interim peace deal on Thursday, insisting the United States is not paying the Islamic Republic and that any economic benefits for Iran depend on full compliance with the agreement.
“The United States isn’t giving up a cent of money to Iran,” Vance said.
His comments came as the White House faced Republican backlash over whether Trump gave Iran too much in a 14-point memorandum of understanding that includes sanctions relief, access to frozen funds, and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction plan.
“The only way the Iranians get any of these resources … is if they comply fully” with the terms of the deal.
Vance pushed back on criticism that lifting sanctions amounted to a major concession.
“The choke point on Iranian oil was never the sanctions. We didn’t see that as a major concession to the Iranians,” Vance said.
Vance argued that Iran was already selling oil despite U.S. sanctions, which he described as “fundamentally ineffective” by the time of the deal. He said lifting the sanctions could actually give the U.S. more visibility into Iran’s financial activity.
“By lifting the sanctions, we’re actually going to be able to see a little bit where their financial system actually sends money and receives money,” Vance said. “That’s a real benefit to the American people.”
Vance added that Iran’s “nuclear program has been completely destroyed,” framing the agreement as the next stage of Trump’s pressure campaign rather than a concession to Tehran.
“Now we see whether they are willing to comply with the next step of the president’s peace plan,” Vance said.
The deal, signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, ends military operations for now, reopens the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days to open a negotiating window for a final deal. Vance said that the 60-day period, which can be extended, began on Thursday.
Vance argued the agreement could reshape the region if Iran follows through.
“If they do change their behavior, they are going to have a transformative relationship with the Middle East,” Vance said.
Vance said lawmakers either received a formal copy of the signed document Thursday morning or would get it later in the day. He said the administration is planning a formal briefing for Congress “very soon.”
However, Vance said the administration “feel quite confident” it can temporarily lift some sanctions without congressional approval.
Since the peace deal was announced, some GOP hawks have warned that it risks rewarding Tehran after months of war.
Nikki Haley, Trump’s former U.N. ambassador, said in a social media post Wednesday that striking Iran’s nuclear and missile sites was “the right move,” but added: “It’s a huge mistake to pay to rebuild the threat we just destroyed.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, questioned whether the reconstruction plan would amount to giving money to Iran’s leaders.
“Is it giving $300 billion to the Iranian ayatollah?” Cruz asked on his podcast. “I hope not. I pray not.”
