Vice President Vance [AP=Yonhap News File Photo]

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated on the 16th (local time) regarding the agreement with Iran, "Not a single cent of American money is going to Iran," and that the U.S. will not directly provide funds or economic assistance to Iran in the process of implementing the agreement.

In an interview with Fox News on the same day, Vice President Vance said, "If Iran fulfills its obligations, there will be benefits for Iran," adding, "It could be funds from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or Saudi Arabia, not American money."

He further commented that countries like Qatar "might want to invest in Iran and build power plants."

Vice President Vance emphasized, "If Iran does not behave properly, it will not be able to enjoy any benefits from this negotiation."

He also explained the agreement, stating, "It is a firm commitment by Iran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and this is backed by verifiable measures."

This indicates that economic benefits corresponding to Iran's adherence to nuclear-related agreements will be provided, but not through direct U.S. economic support, but rather in forms such as investment from neighboring Gulf countries like Qatar.

These remarks deny the possibility of direct U.S. economic support and are interpreted as a separate issue from whether Iran's frozen assets will be released or sanctions against Iran will be eased.

Vice President Vance stressed that this point is a difference from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) by the Barack Obama administration.

He claimed, "We are not giving Iran a single dollar of American money," adding, "The Obama administration gave Iran over $1 billion."

The "over $1 billion" mentioned by Vice President Vance appears to refer to the $1.7 billion paid by the Obama administration to Iran in 2016.

This amount combines the principal of $400 million that Iran had given to the U.S. before the 1979 Islamic Revolution to purchase American weapons, and $1.3 billion in interest that accrued in the meantime. It was reportedly paid in cash, including Euros and Swiss Francs, in three installments.

Following the revolution, Iran demanded the return of these funds as they had not received the weapons from the U.S. The Obama administration's explanation at the time was that the U.S. had returned them after a legal dispute.

While the Obama administration explained that the $1.7 billion payment was not a quid pro quo for the nuclear deal but a settlement of an existing debt, the Trump administration continued its criticism, essentially defining it as an example of economic benefits provided to Iran during the nuclear deal process.

Vice President Vance also claimed that the Obama administration's nuclear deal empowered Iran, leading to backlash from Gulf countries, whereas the Trump administration's so-called "peace plan" has been welcomed by Gulf countries.

Vice President Vance further emphasized that if Iran implements the agreement, "it will be a great victory for everyone, for the entire region," and "if Iran does not, there will be no significant loss for the United States."

Meanwhile, when asked about a potential presidential run in 2028, Vice President Vance, a prominent Republican potential presidential candidate, avoided a direct answer, stating, "I am focused on doing the work that is in front of us."

He added, "There is so much work to be done for the American people," and "Let's do that work first. Let's win the midterm elections. Then we can talk about what happens in 2028."