WASHINGTON — The United States expects Iran to restore oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels, US Vice President JD Vance said Saturday.
“Our expectation is you’re going to see the same amount of oil and gas come out of the Gulf that you saw before the conflict started,” Vance told Fox News, saying Tehran had communicated that intention to Washington.
Vance, however, stressed that the United States would assess Iran based on its actions rather than its assurances.
“But you know, we don’t trust. We verify,” he said. “We actually look not at people’s words but people’s deeds.”
Washington is also monitoring Iranian statements over the possibility of imposing tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
“The Iranians have told us they have no plans to toll the Strait of Hormuz,” Vance said, adding that Washington would judge Tehran by what it does.
Vance said discussions involving Iran and Gulf countries, particularly Oman, were focused on establishing arrangements to ensure the safe movement of vessels through the strategic waterway.
He said Iran had laid “a large number of mines” at the beginning of the conflict, making demining and the establishment of a safe maritime traffic system central to efforts to restore normal shipping.
“What we’re really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely. That includes, of course, demining,” Vance said.
He added that Washington also expects Tehran to commit to ending attacks on commercial shipping.
“That also includes a commitment from the Iranians that they’re not going to fire at commercial vessels,” he said.
Vance suggested Iran was under significant pressure to bring the conflict to an end, saying the remaining question was whether Tehran could deliver the commitments Washington considers necessary for an agreement.
“They’re hurting in a big way. They want this thing to be over,” Vance said.
Source: Saudi Gazette