• Updated

The White House says Vice President JD Vance isn’t leaving Thursday for Switzerland to lead a new round of talks with Iran about its nuclear program, citing difficult logistics for negotiations meant to add details to an agreement signed by President Donald Trump a day ago. The U.S. said earlier Thursday it had lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel. But the initial deal has drawn sharp criticism from some in the U.S. – including a few congressional Republicans – who worry Washington ceded too much to Iran.

Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions. That's according to leaked copies of an interim agreement that officials say broadly matches the document. The accord is due to be formally signed in a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday. It lays out that the U.S. would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war and work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran if a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program is reached. The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions represent major concessions.

President Donald Trump wraps up talks at the Group of Seven summit, promoting an emerging agreement with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. The deal's specifics remain unclear, and Trump faces skepticism from allies like Israel. The agreement is set to be signed Friday in Switzerland. Trump plans to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday amid tensions over a recent U.S. military strike near the Strait of Hormuz that killed three Indian sailors. Before wrapping his visit to France, Trump will also meet Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and attend a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles.