Vance Says Funds Won’t Be Transferred to Iran in Exchange for Signing Deal to Halt War

US Vice President JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, May 28, 2026. (Reuters)
US Vice President JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, May 28, 2026. (Reuters)
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Vance Says Funds Won’t Be Transferred to Iran in Exchange for Signing Deal to Halt War

US Vice President JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, May 28, 2026. (Reuters)
US Vice President JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, May 28, 2026. (Reuters)

US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that no funds would be released to Iran in exchange for signing an agreement to halt the war and open the Strait of Hormuz and that text of the framework deal would be shared this week.

In an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" program, Vance said signing the memorandum of understanding with Iran, expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday, would not trigger the release of frozen assets.

Vance said the agreement was already signed digitally on Sunday and no funds were released.

"There's been no money released, and that won't change," ‌he said.

Vance said ‌Iran would receive money only if it took verified steps ‌to ⁠eliminate its stockpile ⁠of highly enriched uranium.

"If we see the Iranians making, for example, taking action to eliminate their stockpile of enriched material, then yes, sanctions relief will follow. If we see the Iranians taking action to allow the kind of verification regime that we need to see to know that they're not going to build a nuclear weapon, yes, sanctions relief will follow," he said.

"If they don't ⁠do the right things, if they don't allow the verification ‌regime, they're never going to have ‌the money to rebuild their nuclear program to begin with."

In an interview on CNBC on ‌Monday, Vance also said the United States expects the economically vital waterway ‌would be open without tolls.

"Our expectation is that the Strait is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long-term," he said.

"That's the sort of thing that we're going to figure out in these technical negotiations. You know that there ‌are a lot of very important details to figure out that we're actually going to sit at the table ⁠and discuss together ⁠and figure out a path forward."

The US and Iran said they had agreed terms to end their war and reopen the strait, news that brought relief to markets, although the pact may hinge on an end to hostilities in Lebanon and defers talks on Tehran's nuclear program.

While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough toward resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Vance told CNBC that Iran's foreign minister and House speaker will represent Iran at the signing in Switzerland on Friday and many details of the deal are still to be sorted out. He did not say who would represent the US at the signing.



Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief for Nuclear Concessions

US President Donald Trump takes questions at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump takes questions at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief for Nuclear Concessions

US President Donald Trump takes questions at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump takes questions at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied offering Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in return for nuclear concessions from Tehran.

"This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING," Trump wrote on Truth Social, responding to an Axios report that cited US officials as saying that he was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in ⁠return for "concrete" Iranian steps ⁠regarding the nuclear program.

CNN also reported, citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release frozen funds as part of a final deal ⁠on the condition that Iran offered "concrete progress" on the nuclear issue.

Trump has offered shifting goals and timelines for the Iran war that began on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran and Tehran responded with its own strikes on Israel and other states.

US and ⁠Iranian officials ⁠spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war, according to officials of both countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he expected a formal answer on Tuesday from the US to Tehran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported.

Qatari intermediaries "presented ideas, and we discussed them; they are set to raise the matter with the American side once more, after which the final US response will be conveyed to us," Araghchi said late Monday.

Iran's top diplomat, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said "the Qataris hope this will be done by tomorrow.”

"The current focus is solely on the Strait of Hormuz, and the reopening of the strait is contingent upon the fulfilment of certain conditions that we have communicated to the other side," he added.

The Strait of Hormuz lies at the heart of the conflict between the United States and Iran.


CNN, MS NOW, Politico Ask Judge to Extend Block on White House Ban

A CNN camera sets up before President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the National Archives Museum, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A CNN camera sets up before President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the National Archives Museum, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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CNN, MS NOW, Politico Ask Judge to Extend Block on White House Ban

A CNN camera sets up before President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the National Archives Museum, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A CNN camera sets up before President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the National Archives Museum, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge late on Monday to issue a court order preserving their White House access while they fight US President Donald Trump's move to ban them over coverage he dislikes.

The news outlets asked a judge overseeing their case in Washington, DC, federal court to grant a preliminary injunction blocking Trump's bans ⁠until there is ⁠a final ruling in the case, Reuters reported.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly previously issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the bans, finding they likely violated the news outlets' rights to fair ⁠legal treatment.

The outlets said in their September 21 lawsuit that Trump's bans were unlawful viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees free speech and free press rights.

The Justice Department said Trump lawfully banned the outlets after determining their coverage threatened national security by revealing classified information.

Trump said ⁠in ⁠a September 18 social media post that he was banning the outlets for “reporting FAKE NEWS” and that they "shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES.”

Trump has frequently clashed with the media in his second term and personally sued outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BBC for defamation.


UK Police Release on Bail 5 Men Held over Airbase Incident

Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
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UK Police Release on Bail 5 Men Held over Airbase Incident

Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard

British police said Monday five men arrested near an airbase used by the United States were released on bail, as Washington asserted a "foreign actor" was involved in the suspected bomb plot.

US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, said he was "surprised that they released them", adding that "I wouldn't have done that".

The release of the five -- all London-based Britons in their mid-20s -- came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an emergency meeting of top officials to ensure they have "the full picture".

Earlier, Iran had denied involvement in any plot to target the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the security scare there early Sunday.

Here's what we know so far:

UK counter-terror police are leading the investigation after authorities received reports Sunday of three "suspicious" white vans near the airbase, which has been used by the United States to bomb Iran.

Police said in their latest update Monday that the five men held, who all live in inner London boroughs, were being released on bail.

"This does not mean the investigation is over," Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding the five would be subject to "stringent" bail conditions.

He said officers were "considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state".

B‑1B Lancer bomber at the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard

The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and "preparation of a terrorist act" under UK anti-terrorism laws, according to police.

They had been travelling in the three suspect vehicles, which have since been subject to "extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts".

According to AFP, authorities have not confirmed details of the threat but bomb-disposal experts were seen working at the scene.

The Daily Mail and Press Association both reported late Monday they understood from sources that tests on materials in the back of the vans established they were "not viable explosives".

A farmer living in the village of Whelford near the airbase said she rang the police after seeing the vans blocking a road and a group of masked men.

The anonymous woman told media on Monday that she believed the police had "dropped the ball" on the threat.

But UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting said the farmer only had a "partial picture".

Trump said on Sunday that Britain and United States had had the suspects "under investigation" for a while and alleged "they were looking to do big damage to our fort".

British newspaper front pages reporting the police declaration of a major incident at RAF Fairford airbase, in this illustration, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Illustration

After hearing news of their bail, Trump said Monday the case "might be" linked to Iran but declined to elaborate.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor", without giving further details.

Iran's embassy in London said on X that it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" the "unfounded and malicious speculations" that Tehran was involved.

Britain gave the United States permission in March to use Fairford for "specific defensive operations into Iran" to destroy Iranian missiles at source.

US bombers and other planes have since been seen taking off and landing from the base -- the only one on Britain's mainland used for this purpose.

Residents in the rural Cotswolds area surrounding Fairford said the site, which hosts a range of US military equipment and personnel, had seen increased activity and security in recent months.

Authorities evacuated around 85 households from the village early on Sunday, and they were allowed to return home the next day.

Tehran has previously warned London against allowing its bases to be used by the United States in operations against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused London of "putting British lives in danger" by allowing the bases to be used "for aggression against Iran".