Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News that talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz were “in the middle of the game,” even though U.S. officials had previously indicated a deal was nearly in hand.
“What we are really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely,” Vance said.
“That includes of course demining but it also includes a commitment from the Iranians that they are not going to fire at commercial vessels.”
The remarks follow President Donald Trump’s optimistic assessment that a deal could be reached within a few days.
🚨 JUST IN: Vice President JD Vance announces Iran told the US they will allow MAXIMUM oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz — but he’s refusing to trust it until they prove it
“They’re HURTING, they want this to be OVER.”
“We’re working through how to set up a traffic scheme… pic.twitter.com/LCymbF2LfX
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 8, 2026
Iranian Position and New Conditions
Iran has issued a list of demands that are complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian State Media Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr issued a statement that set out multiple requirements for reopening the strait.
The statement came as Iran and Oman continued negotiations on an agreement regarding the future of the waterway.
While Hossein Mohebbi, spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said reopening the strait was not contingent on the Iran-Oman negotiations.
Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran and Oman were very close to an agreement. According to Tasnim, however, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains dependent on other conditions, including a demand that the United States compensate for its violations of the Islamabad Memorandum.
🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷 Vance is basically saying Iran wants out but their own hardliners won’t let them say yes.
That’s the trap. Khamenei can’t publicly surrender to America without losing the regime’s entire reason for existing.
So Iran negotiates with one hand tied behind their back while… pic.twitter.com/sfnIw1YEFG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 8, 2026
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the present moment is the “best time” for a peace agreement with the United States, as his country is considered “victorious” in the war and Washington recognizes the rights of Iran and its people, IRNA reported.
“If there is sometimes talk of reaching an agreement, I believe that now is the best time for an agreement; because there is cohesion, strength, and unity in the country, and as far as I know, Iran is considered victorious and powerful in this war and this conflict,” he told the media.”
“In such circumstances, we can pursue our rights and demands through dialogue. They must accept to recognise our rights and ensure them. Naturally, we also demand nothing but the rights of our country and people.”
Tehran Defends Islamabad June Ceasefire Agreement
Pezeshkian added: “Almost every day we discuss how we should manage this process so that we can get out of the situation of neither war nor peace and be able to reach an understanding within the framework of which our own fundamental beliefs and values are preserved, while at the same time disappointing the enemy from any greed or hope of attacking our country.”
He defended the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United States, saying “you will not find any clause in it that we have surrendered anything there.” Pezeshkian stated that the enemy’s calculations were based on creating internal disintegration and division: “This is not a plan that was designed with us in mind.
The reason they are doing these things is that all their calculations were that if they attacked, Iran would be torn to pieces; but this did not happen.” He attributed the failure of those calculations to social cohesion and the presence of the people: “This was due to the cohesion that was created.”
Pezeshkian said Tehran will not bow to pressure or surrender its military capabilities.
Oman denounces ship attacks in Strait of Hormuz
Oman has condemned continued attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Sultanate of Oman affirms in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the ongoing negotiations regarding arrangements related to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding in a positive and constructive atmosphere, emphasising the importance of avoiding any actions that could affect these negotiations and the progress achieved, which takes into account the interests of all parties,” the Oman News Agency adds.
US Position on Sanctions and Frozen Funds
The United States has said sanctions would be fully lifted only after a final deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program. US officials have stated in the past that Iran could gain access to its frozen funds only after committing to give up its highly enriched uranium.
Iran is seeking to pressure President Donald Trump to address its demands, with an eye on lowering consumer prices in America ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Military Spokesman: New Order in Hormuz ‘Irreversible’
Iranian military spokesman Amir Akraminia said that despite the wishes of the United States, Iran’s new order in the Strait of Hormuz is “irreversible,” Al Jazeera reported.
“The United States has no choice but to accept the existing situation; otherwise, it will incur costs far greater than those it has faced in the past,” Akraminia was quoted as saying by Iran’s IRNA news agency.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
Muhammad Luqman is Associate Editor at Views News Now. He writes on wide-ranging issues including economy, South Asia, the Middle East, agriculture, economy and innovation. Luqman has worked some of the leading news organizations and won acclaim for his original and research-based works.
