US Vice-President JD Vance has said that several issues still need to be resolved before an agreement on the war with Iran can be reached, in an interview with the BBC.

Asked if President Donald Trump was close to signing a deal, Vance said it was too early to say 'when or if' the two sides would finalize an agreement.

Earlier on Thursday, US officials told the BBC the two countries had agreed on a framework of a deal — known as a memorandum of understanding — pending approval from Trump and Iran's leadership.

The framework reportedly extends the ceasefire for 60 days and launches talks on the future of Iran's nuclear program. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported it had not been finalized or confirmed.

According to reports, the framework could allow 'unrestricted' passage through the Strait of Hormuz and give Iran 30 days to remove mines from the narrow shipping passageway. The US would also lift its blockade and issue sanction waivers to allow Iran to resume oil sales.

Axios, which first reported a tentative agreement on Thursday, said Trump had been briefed on the proposal but did not immediately sign off, taking a couple of days to consider it.

Vance struck an optimistic tone, saying the US believed Iranians were negotiating in 'good faith,' but acknowledged that 'we're not there yet' on the 'question of enrichment.'

The US has long demanded Iran stop producing highly enriched uranium and dispose of its existing stockpile, which could be used to create nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

Meanwhile, both Iran and the US have accused each other of violating the fragile ceasefire in recent days. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US base in the region on Thursday, but US Central Command denied any aircraft were shot down.

Source: www.bbc.com