JD Vance says Iran 'not getting a single dime’ of US taxpayer money under Trump's deal

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance pushed back against claims that American taxpayer dollars would be sent to Iran under the Trump administration's proposed agreement, saying the framework does not involve cash payments to Tehran and that any future economic benefits would depend on Iran meeting strict conditions.

He said no money would be released simply because an agreement had been signed and stressed that the administration would require Iran to fulfill its commitments before any sanctions relief or economic benefits take effect.

Vance rejects claims taxpayer money will be sent to Tehran

Addressing concerns over the proposed agreement, Vance said reports suggesting US taxpayers would finance Iran were inaccurate.

Vance told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Iran could have access to the multibillion-dollar fund if the nation fulfills the obligations outlined in its deal with the United States.

"The agreement says they are not getting a single dime of American money," he said.

"What the agreement does say, Sean, is if the Iranians behave and if there are sanctions relief and if the Iranians are integrated into the world economy, we would invite other countries, not us, but other countries to invest in their country."

According to the vice president, any sanctions relief or access to economic benefits would come only after Iran verifiably eliminates its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and allows international inspections to confirm it is no longer pursuing nuclear weapons.

A proposed $300 billion fund under consideration by the Trump administration for Iran would be financed by private companies looking to invest in the country, not American taxpayers.

Vance emphasized that the deal is performance-based and said Iran will have access to the reconstruction fund only if it complies with the deal’s conditions.

"The Iranians don't get a dime unless they behave and change their behavior," he said on "Hannity."

The proposed agreement, he said, is structured to ensure economic incentives are tied to Iran honoring its commitments rather than receiving unconditional benefits.

Agreement remains a framework as negotiations continue

Although President Donald Trump announced that a memorandum of understanding had already been signed electronically, administration officials have emphasized that negotiations are ongoing and that the complete text of the agreement is expected to be released later this week.

"If they show verifiable commitment, and that means a real inspections regime, then they can get the benefits of the bargain."

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to Tasnim News Agency, "This memorandum does not mean trusting the enemy; it has been written with active distrust."

The vice president insisted that Iran has a "real opportunity" to transform the regime’s strained relationship with the United States, saying that action will be rewarded instead of words.

"I think that they see there's a real opportunity here to turn over a new leaf so long as they do the right thing," Vance declared.

The administration has maintained that the agreement is designed to permanently prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon while creating a path toward economic normalization if Tehran complies with its obligations.

"If the Iranians are willing to change their ways. If they're willing to behave like a normal country, stop trying to build a nuclear weapon, stop trying fund terrorism all over the Middle East, then we are willing to actually fundamentally transform our relationship with them."

"What we're going to do, Sean, is destroy the highly enriched material, the nuclear dust, and we're gonna do it with the Iranians," he told "Hannity."

Vance said the framework represents a significant step toward ending the recent conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, but acknowledged that additional technical negotiations remain before the agreement is finalized.