Vance holds White House briefing after Trump signs Iran war agreement

[0:03] Hello, hello, hello. [0:57] Hi, is anybody there? [1:13] Are you guys coming to me? [1:14] What's the situation here? [1:15] Hi, is anybody there? [1:43] Test, test, test, test, test, test. [1:46] Hi, yes I can. [1:47] Can you see me looking at you? [1:49] Okay, I don't know how to fix that. [1:54] Pamela, look, we know that the vice president has been the face of this deal, of this memorandum [2:36] of understanding, so that's what we expect today's briefing to be about. [2:39] And there are still a number of questions. [2:41] One in particular, whether or not this 60-day negotiating period has actually begun. [2:45] If you listen to Iran, the spokesperson for Iran, they say that it started last night. [2:49] But we have not heard that officially from the United States yet. [2:53] And there is a number of reasons of why that is critical, because there are several things [2:57] that go into place immediately when that 60-day negotiating period starts. [3:01] That includes waivers for oil for Iran, Iran clearing the strait of any quote-unquote obstacles, [3:06] those obstacles being mines likely, and the United States removing their naval blockade [3:12] of the strait. [3:13] None of which we understand have started yet, lest we're going to hear it here today. [3:17] The other part of this is, what exactly is Vance going to be doing on the ground in Switzerland? [3:23] One of the things that we had been told was he was going to be part of an official signing [3:26] ceremony. [3:27] However, what we're hearing from both sides is that the document has already been signed. [3:31] We reported that last night, that Trump signed it, the president of Iran has signed it. [3:35] So what is Vance doing? [3:36] Is this the start of negotiations? [3:38] Or is there also going to be some kind of signing ceremony when he gets on the ground there? [3:43] We'll expect him to lay that out. [3:45] But we also have other questions we've heard from US officials on this idea of gentlemen's [3:50] agreements. [3:51] What are in those gentlemen's agreements that are not written out in this memorandum of [3:55] understanding? [3:56] What is giving the United States the level of confidence that they say they have? [4:01] And one question that shouldn't be overlooked is the idea of the fact that Vance has been [4:05] the face of this. [4:06] One of the things we heard President Trump say, and yes, he said it jokingly, but every joke [4:11] has a little truth in it. [4:13] The idea of this doesn't go well, he's going to blame JD Vance. [4:17] Does JD Vance feel any pressure for the fact that he has taken on this role of head narrator [4:23] of this MOU? [5:51] I think more likely [6:34] It's that there's been an enormous amount of pushback [6:37] To this memorandum of understanding [6:39] Specifically over the last couple of days [6:40] And yesterday we heard on the Hill [6:42] Republicans saying that this was a bad deal [6:44] That they can't trust the Iranians [6:46] That they shouldn't have gotten into this [6:48] We've also heard criticism that this deal is no better [6:50] Than the Obama deal [6:51] That as we heard Jenny just say [6:53] That there's criticism that this was something [6:56] That President Trump got himself into [6:57] And this deal just gets him out of something [7:00] That he started himself [7:02] But doesn't actually do any advancements [7:04] So it seems likely that Vice President [7:06] J.D. Vance is going to come out and address [7:08] Some of that criticism as well [7:10] As some of the questions we still have [7:12] About why this is a better deal [7:15] Than the Obama deal [7:16] In plain text it doesn't seem to be [7:18] But we've also heard that criticism [7:20] From people who are close to President Trump [7:23] Saying they're not really quite sure [7:24] What this does [7:25] Now we had heard from sources close to the decision making [7:28] That there really had come [7:30] An agreement between all these top officials [7:32] That any deal was better than no deal [7:35] We heard President Trump yesterday [7:37] Saying that they were worried about [7:38] Global economic ramifications [7:40] If the war continued [7:41] Something we know they've been watching very closely [7:43] At least in terms of the United States economy [7:46] So all of those are going to be questions [7:48] For the Vice President [7:49] And he's likely to want to get ahead [7:52] Of all of the things that we have been hearing [7:54] Particularly that pushback [7:55] Before the United States [7:57] Before the administration [7:58] Briefs those lawmakers [7:59] As to what exactly is in this deal [8:02] And perhaps some of the unspoken parts [8:04] Of this deal [8:05] That we haven't seen in writing [8:07] Okay bye guys [8:25] Nothing to talk about [27:20] Slow news day here in Washington D.C. [27:23] So let me just say a couple of things off the bat [27:25] First of all [27:26] I think the President's peace plan in Iran [27:28] Is already bearing real fruits for the American people [27:31] Last night [27:32] 12.5 million barrels of oil [27:34] Went through the Strait of Hormuz [27:36] That is a high since the beginning of the conflict [27:38] Oil prices are down [27:40] Nearly at their level [27:41] From the pre-war conflict [27:42] Gas prices dropped below $4 a gallon today [27:45] For the first time since the conflict [27:47] And importantly [27:48] They're going to keep falling further [27:49] Given how low oil prices are [27:51] On the military side [27:54] The Iranians for the second night in a row [27:56] Did not shoot at any ships [27:58] In the Strait of Hormuz [27:59] So far [28:00] They are honoring their end of the commitment [28:01] And on the blockade [28:03] CENTCOM has allowed [28:04] North of a dozen ships [28:05] To go through our naval blockade [28:07] And so we're also honoring [28:08] Our end of the early part of the agreement [28:10] On the military side [28:12] A couple of things that are still true [28:14] And will be true [28:15] Whether the Iranians comply [28:16] With the rest of the deal or not [28:18] Number one [28:18] Their nuclear program [28:19] Has been completely destroyed [28:21] Their capacity for enrichment [28:22] The facilities at which they were using [28:24] To develop enrichment [28:25] And develop a potential nuclear weapon [28:27] Those facilities are still destroyed [28:29] Their conventional military is still destroyed [28:32] Their capacity to threaten their neighbors [28:33] Is still largely gone [28:35] And now we see whether they are willing to comply [28:38] With the next step of the president's peace plan [28:41] As you all know [28:43] The part of the peace plan [28:45] The part of this MOU [28:46] That I think have been most misrepresented [28:47] By certain parts of the media [28:49] Is the idea that the Iranians get all these benefits [28:51] You will hear things about $300 billion [28:53] Or $24 billion [28:54] Or this or that number of money [28:56] Or amount of money [28:57] And the simple fact is [28:58] That the only way the Iranians get [29:00] Any of those resources [29:02] Not a single penny by the way [29:04] From the United States of America [29:05] Under any circumstances [29:06] But the only way that they would ever get [29:09] Any benefit of the bargain [29:10] Is if they comply fully [29:12] And change their behavior [29:14] And so you really have a win-win situation [29:16] For the United States of America [29:18] If the Iranians don't change their behavior [29:20] Their military and their nuclear program [29:23] Is still destroyed [29:24] If they do change their behavior [29:26] Then they are going to have [29:27] A transformative relationship [29:29] With the Middle East [29:30] And the Middle East will have [29:31] A transformative relationship [29:33] With the people of Iran [29:34] That's a win for the American people [29:36] And for the president of the United States [29:38] Regardless of which option [29:40] The Iranians ultimately choose [29:41] We obviously want them [29:42] To choose the right option [29:43] The interesting thing about their system [29:45] And I think it's important [29:46] For the American people [29:47] To appreciate this point in particular [29:49] Is that there are real divisions [29:51] Within their country [29:53] About how exactly to proceed [29:54] And what we've seen [29:56] Over the last couple of months [29:57] Is that the pragmatists [29:59] Within the Iranian system [30:00] The people who really do want [30:01] To transform their relationship [30:03] With the Middle East [30:04] And with the world [30:05] Those people are winning the argument [30:08] The United States wants those people [30:10] To win the argument [30:10] The United States wants to have [30:12] A better relationship [30:13] But in order for that to happen [30:15] The Iranians have to perform [30:17] And if they don't perform [30:18] As we've said before [30:19] They don't get any of the benefits [30:21] Of the bargain [30:22] So what I'd ask all of you [30:23] Is just to report honestly [30:24] That the United States [30:25] Isn't giving up [30:27] A cent of money to Iran [30:28] And even the economic benefits [30:30] The sanctions relief [30:31] And so forth [30:32] That comes along [30:33] With this bargain [30:33] Only happens [30:35] If the Iranians perform [30:37] So with that [30:38] I want to say [30:38] Thanks to all of you [30:39] It's good to be with you this morning [30:41] And I'll kick it over to questions [30:42] Let's start right over here [30:44] To the right [30:44] Thank you Mr. Vice President [30:45] I wanted to ask a follow up [30:47] On something you just mentioned [30:48] You talked about [30:49] The possibility of the current [30:51] Iranian leadership [30:52] Fundamentally changing their behavior [30:53] Do you think [30:55] That the current Iranian leadership [30:56] Recognizes the leverage [30:58] That the U.S. holds over itself [31:00] Economically and militarily [31:01] Enough to actually go forth [31:03] With fundamentally changing their behavior [31:05] Over the long term [31:06] And going about things to happen [31:07] So I certainly think [31:09] They recognize the leverage [31:10] That the United States [31:11] Has over them [31:11] We've seen that [31:12] In a number of our conversations [31:13] We've seen that [31:14] Just in their behavior [31:15] Over the last couple of days [31:16] They certainly recognize [31:17] That the United States [31:18] Has great leverage [31:19] Will that ultimately lead [31:20] To a change in behavior [31:21] I don't know [31:22] You know [31:22] I've seen skeptics of the deal [31:24] People say [31:24] The Iranians will never [31:26] Change their behavior [31:27] Well maybe that's true [31:28] And if so [31:29] They don't get any of the benefits [31:30] Of the bargain [31:31] But isn't it worth trying [31:32] Isn't it worth seeing [31:34] Whether this incredibly [31:35] Weakened position [31:36] That the President of the United States [31:38] Has put the Iranians under [31:40] Whether that motivates them [31:41] To change their behavior [31:43] Not just vis-a-vis the West [31:44] But vis-a-vis the Middle East [31:46] And one of the interesting things [31:48] About this is [31:48] You know [31:49] The technical details of this [31:51] We can of course get into [31:52] There are going to be [31:53] Any number of opinions [31:54] About the negotiation [31:55] About where it's ultimately going to go [31:57] But I tend to think [31:58] That you should trust [31:59] The people who know [32:00] The Iranians the best [32:01] And who have the most to lose [32:02] What are the Gulf Arab states [32:05] Saying about this deal [32:06] What are they saying [32:07] About this deal [32:08] Compared to the JCPOA in 2015 [32:11] This is the Obama nuclear deal [32:12] Well back then [32:13] They hated that deal [32:15] They felt like [32:16] It empowered the Iranians [32:17] To be bad actors [32:18] Across the region [32:19] And of course [32:19] That's exactly what happened [32:21] They were right about that [32:22] What are they saying [32:23] About the President's peace deal [32:24] They're saying [32:25] This is an amazingly [32:26] Transformative thing [32:28] For the region [32:28] Because either way [32:29] We and the broader region win [32:32] Iran is weakened [32:33] Their nuclear program destroyed [32:35] Their economy in desperate straits [32:38] And if they change their behavior [32:40] Big things are going to happen [32:41] For Iran and for the world [32:42] If they don't [32:43] No skin off our backs [32:45] Either way [32:46] We win [32:46] And that's the way [32:47] The President has set up this deal [32:49] And this negotiation [32:50] Thank you [32:51] But did the 60 day period [32:57] Officially begin yesterday [32:59] I would say the 60 day period [33:02] Officially started today [33:03] It was signed late [33:04] And it may have even been signed [33:05] Technically [33:06] You know [33:07] Because of the time shift [33:08] I think it signed [33:09] Technically today [33:10] Iran time [33:11] So yes [33:12] The deal started yesterday [33:14] We're going to start [33:15] The 60 day the clock today [33:17] Go ahead [33:19] Can you help us understand [33:20] President Trump's shift [33:21] On his stance [33:22] For Iran's ballistic missile program [33:25] Initially it was a key objective [33:27] To dismantle it [33:29] Yesterday [33:29] He said it would only be fair [33:31] If they had some [33:32] If the countries around Iran [33:34] Also had some [33:35] So when and why did that change [33:38] And will the final agreement [33:39] Have any restrictions [33:40] On these missiles [33:41] So we destroyed a substantial number [33:43] Of their ballistic missiles [33:44] And their ballistic missile launchers themselves [33:48] It's not just the bullets [33:49] But it's the actual gun [33:50] And that's what we were extremely effective at [33:52] In destroying during the last three months [33:54] Of the campaign [33:55] All the President said yesterday [33:56] Is that of course [33:58] Countries don't give up [34:00] The right of self-defense [34:01] Israel doesn't give up [34:03] The right of self-defense [34:04] If Hezbollah fires rockets [34:05] Or drones at Israel [34:07] The Iranians don't give up [34:08] The right of self-defense [34:09] In their country [34:10] But we do expect [34:12] That as part of the final deal [34:13] They are not going to be able [34:14] To build the kind of missiles [34:16] That can broadly threaten [34:17] The entire world [34:18] And that's what the President [34:19] Of the United States [34:20] Said yesterday [34:21] And look [34:21] I mean [34:22] It's very simple [34:23] You can't tell a country [34:24] Whether Israel or Iran [34:25] They're not allowed to have [34:26] Any self-defense [34:28] That's not what the President has asked [34:29] That's not what the President has requested [34:31] But as part of the final deal [34:32] What we want to see [34:34] Is Iran not funding [34:35] Regional instability [34:36] Funding regional terrorism [34:38] And of course [34:39] Try to rebuild [34:39] Their nuclear weapons program [34:40] That's the main thing [34:41] The nuclear weapons program [34:43] Is destroyed [34:44] It is gone [34:45] If the Iranians [34:46] Decided tomorrow [34:47] To build a nuclear weapon [34:49] They simply don't have [34:50] The capacity [34:50] In order to do that [34:51] What we're trying to ensure [34:53] Is they don't rebuild [34:54] That capacity [34:54] Not just a year from now [34:56] Two years from now [34:57] But many, many years from now [34:58] So that our children [34:59] Never have to worry about [35:00] A state sponsor of terrorism [35:02] Having a nuclear weapon [35:04] Thank you, Mr. Vice President [35:06] You were just saying [35:07] That you're hoping [35:08] This deal would prevent [35:10] Iran in the future [35:11] From getting a nuclear weapon [35:12] But from what's been put out there [35:14] Of the MOU [35:15] I'm curious [35:17] How does the MOU reflect [35:18] That in the future [35:19] Iran will not in fact [35:20] Get a nuclear weapon [35:21] What's stopping them [35:22] From down the road [35:23] To your point [35:24] Rebuilding [35:25] And restarting [35:26] From where we were [35:27] Pre the war [35:27] Well, number one [35:28] They would have to get [35:29] A lot of money [35:30] In order to rebuild [35:30] A nuclear program [35:31] You're talking about [35:32] Billions and billions [35:33] Of nuclear infrastructure [35:34] That the United States destroyed [35:35] In order for them [35:36] To rebuild that program [35:37] They would have to get [35:38] A lot of money [35:39] And we have them [35:40] In an economic chokehold [35:41] Right now [35:41] That we're not going to release [35:42] Until they fundamentally [35:43] Change their behavior [35:44] What would that look like? [35:45] That would mean [35:46] A real inspections regime [35:47] That would mean [35:48] A real enforcement regime [35:49] As the MOU contemplates [35:51] That would mean [35:51] The destruction [35:52] Of their enriched stockpile [35:53] All of these things [35:54] Are the sorts of steps [35:56] You're going to take [35:56] If you're serious [35:57] About ending [35:58] Your nuclear weapons program [35:59] And that again [36:00] Is why I go back [36:01] To this fundamental trade [36:02] That's built into the deal [36:03] They need money [36:05] To do anything [36:06] Their economy [36:07] Is in absolute dire straits [36:09] But in order for them [36:11] To get any integration [36:12] Into the world economy [36:13] They're going to have [36:14] To show us [36:15] And verify for us [36:16] That they are changing [36:17] Their behavior [36:18] And that's why the deal [36:19] Is set up [36:19] In the way that it is [36:20] Go ahead [36:21] President Trump said yesterday [36:24] That he was going to blame you [36:25] If the talks of the round [36:26] Go sideways [36:27] Are you worried [36:28] That he's going to make you [36:29] The fool guy? [36:30] No, not at all [36:31] I mean, I think the president [36:31] Was joking [36:32] But as he often does [36:34] But no, I think [36:35] Look, the entire team [36:36] Has worked very well on this [36:37] And we've got this thing [36:38] To a very good place [36:39] For the American people [36:40] Now, I have seen [36:41] Some progressive criticisms [36:42] Of me personally saying [36:44] What experience [36:45] Does the vice president [36:47] Of the United States [36:47] Have with hostile [36:49] High-stakes negotiations [36:50] And I would point [36:52] Those progressive critics [36:53] To the fact that [36:53] Just two days ago [36:54] I spent over an hour [36:55] On The View [36:56] So I actually have [36:58] Great experience [36:58] In very hostile negotiations [37:00] And I've used that [37:02] I mean, look [37:02] Joy Behar [37:03] Is way tougher [37:04] Than the Iranians [37:04] And she and I [37:05] Are best friends now [37:06] So we're going to get [37:07] To a good place here [37:08] We're going to get [37:09] To a good place [37:10] We're already at [37:11] A good place [37:11] It's just a question [37:12] Of whether we can [37:13] Really get the icing [37:13] On the top [37:14] Of fundamentally transforming [37:16] Iran's relationship [37:16] With the world [37:17] Go ahead [37:18] A couple of just [37:19] Timing questions [37:20] How soon [37:21] As the MOU lays out [37:23] Can Iran start selling [37:25] Any of its oil [37:26] That has sort of [37:27] Been impounded [37:27] Right with the blockade [37:28] And two [37:30] Can you sort of [37:31] Explain the Lebanon [37:32] Component to the MOU [37:34] And how that front works [37:36] And the enforceability of it [37:37] Yeah, so the Lebanon [37:39] Component [37:39] This is about regional peace [37:41] Right [37:41] This is about regional peace [37:42] And what that means is [37:43] We expect Hezbollah [37:45] Is not going to be [37:45] Firing rockets [37:46] And firing drones [37:47] At the Israelis [37:48] And we also expect [37:49] That the Israelis [37:50] Are not going to be [37:50] Going wild in Lebanon [37:51] Right [37:52] Both sides have to [37:53] Honor their end of the deal [37:54] Now as you guys know [37:55] Sometimes these ceasefires [37:56] Are a little messy [37:58] The President of the United States [37:59] Said this a couple of weeks ago [38:00] That a ceasefire [38:02] In that region of the world [38:02] Just means they're shooting [38:03] A little bit less at each other [38:05] Than they were before [38:06] What you've seen [38:07] Is radical progress [38:08] In Lebanon [38:09] Less shooting [38:10] Less firing [38:11] But you're still going to have [38:13] These little flare-ups [38:14] From time to time [38:14] And that's just the sort of thing [38:15] That we're going to have to manage [38:16] Through the diplomatic process [38:18] Secretary Rubio's been [38:19] Sort of the person on point [38:21] It's actually worked out [38:22] Extraordinarily well [38:24] Because we do have [38:25] Substantially less shooting [38:26] But it's going to be [38:27] Something we have to manage [38:28] And eventually [38:28] What we want to see [38:29] Is the Lebanese government [38:31] The elected representatives [38:32] Of the people of Lebanon [38:33] Who are able to police [38:35] Southern Lebanon [38:35] So that Hezbollah [38:37] Has not taken over the country [38:38] The Israelis are not threatened [38:40] And then consequently [38:41] The Israelis are not attacking [38:42] Southern Lebanon [38:44] Or Beirut either [38:45] That's the plan there [38:45] You asked about the Iranian oil [38:47] Look [38:47] One of the interesting things [38:49] That you've seen [38:50] Is that [38:51] The Iranians [38:52] Have been completely unable [38:54] To sell oil [38:55] Not because of sanctions [38:56] But because of the blockade [38:58] Fundamentally [38:59] The thing that we have done here [39:00] The original [39:01] You know [39:02] What we give [39:02] What they give [39:03] Is that we said [39:04] We're going to lift the blockade [39:06] We're going to allow you [39:06] To sell some of your oil [39:08] And they're going to open [39:09] The Strait of Hormuz [39:10] We see that process [39:11] Starting to work already [39:12] It's going to take a little time [39:13] Before it picks up fully [39:14] But that's where we are today [39:16] Go ahead [39:17] Thank you Mr. Vice President [39:18] The MOU [39:19] Just on the Strait [39:20] The MOU guarantees [39:21] These 60 days [39:22] Of toll free passage [39:23] But after that [39:24] It has of course [39:24] Led to a regional dialogue [39:26] With Amman and Iran [39:27] Deciding the future [39:27] Governance of the Strait [39:28] A senior U.S. official [39:30] Told us yesterday [39:31] That they expect Iran [39:32] To push aggressively on this [39:33] But also that [39:34] Gulf states [39:34] Won't allow any kind of tolls [39:36] How strenuously [39:37] Will the U.S. fight [39:38] To keep tolls [39:39] Out of the Strait [39:40] And keep any fees [39:41] Away from the future [39:42] Strait [39:42] Commercial traffic [39:43] And are you going to leave it [39:44] To the Gulf states [39:46] To kind of fight this battle [39:47] Well first of all [39:47] We believe international waterways [39:49] Should be free of tolls [39:50] And that's been our position [39:51] That's what you see [39:52] Of course [39:52] In the 60 days of the MOU [39:53] And when you say [39:55] It leaves it open [39:56] It doesn't really leave it open [39:57] Except in the sense that [39:58] Of course [39:59] The final negotiations [40:00] Is going to set the terms [40:01] Of what comes afterwards [40:02] Right [40:03] You said [40:05] I think that [40:05] It's the [40:06] It's the Omanis [40:07] And the Iranians [40:08] But it's actually [40:09] The MOU contemplates [40:10] That the Omanis [40:11] The Iranians [40:11] And the Gulf Coast [40:12] Coalition together [40:13] Will figure out [40:15] A proper security framework [40:17] For the Straits [40:17] In the future [40:18] And what I mean by that [40:19] Is that we don't ever [40:19] Want this to happen again [40:20] Right [40:21] That's not about tolling [40:22] That's about ensuring [40:23] That the Straits [40:24] Are never used [40:25] As a choke point [40:26] For the global economy [40:27] Ever again [40:28] It's frankly [40:28] Not what the Iranians want [40:30] It's not what the Omanis want [40:31] It's not what the GCC wants either [40:33] So what we're going to do [40:34] Of course [40:34] Working with our allies [40:35] In the region [40:36] Is to ensure [40:37] That that is reflected [40:38] In the final deal [40:39] And if that's not [40:40] Reflected in the final deal [40:41] There's not going to be [40:42] A final deal [40:42] And that is [40:43] I keep coming back [40:44] To this fundamental [40:45] Structural point [40:46] Of this negotiation [40:47] Which is that [40:48] We have all the cards [40:49] If the Iranians [40:50] Want the benefits [40:51] Of the bargain [40:51] They have to give us [40:52] The things that are necessary [40:54] To get those benefits [40:55] Go ahead [40:56] Mr. Vice President [40:59] We'll do [41:00] Both you guys [41:02] There's one in the white [41:03] And then one in [41:04] Orange I think [41:05] What about the pink? [41:07] I'm sorry? [41:07] Okay [41:09] Maybe I'm colorblind [41:11] It looks more orange [41:11] To me [41:12] I don't want to have [41:12] A debate about that [41:13] Orange pinkish [41:14] You go first [41:16] And then in front of you [41:17] You can go second [41:18] Thank you [41:20] Mr. Vice President [41:20] How does the points [41:23] About granting [41:24] Some immediate waivers [41:26] On sanctions [41:27] Especially from [41:28] The Treasury Department [41:28] How does that square [41:30] With the Iran Nuclear [41:31] Agreement Review Act [41:32] And are you planning [41:34] On briefing Congress [41:35] On this portion? [41:36] Yeah so I talked [41:37] To James Braid [41:37] Our head of OLA [41:38] We do plan to brief [41:39] Congress very soon [41:40] I believe that they [41:41] Got the formal copy [41:42] Of the signed document [41:43] This morning [41:43] And if not [41:44] They're going to get it [41:45] Some point later today [41:46] We are planning a briefing [41:47] I believe right now [41:48] The House is out of session [41:50] The Senate is in session [41:51] Though maybe I've [41:52] Reversed that [41:52] But we're going to [41:53] Ensure that the team [41:55] Briefs Congress [41:56] And of course [41:56] Answers their questions [41:57] We've been doing that [41:58] Informally [41:59] Of course [41:59] Talking to a number [42:00] Of people in Congress [42:02] Just over the last week [42:03] We'll keep on doing that [42:04] And we'll have a formal briefing [42:05] I won't say exactly [42:06] When that will be [42:07] Because it depends [42:08] A little bit [42:08] About session schedule [42:10] Your point about [42:11] The sanctions [42:11] Is I'll go back [42:12] To what I said earlier [42:13] Which is really [42:14] The choke point [42:14] On Iranian oil [42:15] Was never the sanctions [42:17] We didn't see that [42:18] As a major concession [42:19] To the Iranians [42:20] Frankly the Iranians [42:21] Didn't see that [42:21] As a concession to them [42:22] Because what prevented [42:23] Them from selling oil [42:24] Was not the sanctions [42:25] They were selling [42:26] Plenty of oil [42:27] Without any discount [42:29] Because the sanctions [42:30] Were just fundamentally [42:31] Ineffective at that point [42:32] What the sanctions [42:33] Did do [42:34] Is move the Iranian [42:35] Financial system [42:36] To sort of [42:37] The shadow banking system [42:38] So by lifting the blockade [42:40] That's the significant thing [42:41] That has changed [42:42] And by lifting the sanctions [42:43] We're actually going [42:44] To be able to see [42:44] A little bit [42:45] Where their financial system [42:46] Actually sends money [42:48] And receives money [42:49] That's a real benefit [42:50] To the American people [42:51] And that's really [42:51] The only thing [42:52] That has changed [42:53] By the change in sanctions [42:55] Oh sorry [42:57] Sorry I forgot [42:58] That part of the question [42:59] No we don't think so [43:00] We actually have an opinion [43:01] From OLC [43:01] We feel quite confident about [43:03] That you know [43:03] Congress does [43:04] There are certain things [43:05] That require [43:06] Congressional approval [43:07] There are certain things [43:08] That don't require [43:09] Congressional approval [43:10] We feel quite confident [43:11] That we can temporarily [43:12] With those sanctions [43:12] Without going to Congress [43:14] And seeking their approval [43:15] On that [43:15] Apparently there's been [43:17] Reports coming out of Israel [43:18] That Iran is already [43:19] Funneling oil money [43:21] To Hezbollah [43:22] Even before this [43:23] Particular MOU [43:24] Was signed [43:25] And how exactly [43:27] Is the U.S. [43:30] Looking at this [43:31] If we're talking about [43:32] Behavior on part of Iran [43:34] I mean October 7th [43:36] Happened [43:36] And if there's concern [43:38] That perhaps [43:38] Hezbollah [43:39] Could end up doing [43:40] Some sort of attack [43:42] On that scale [43:43] Then you know [43:44] How exactly [43:45] Are we talking about [43:46] The reaction [43:48] To the United States [43:49] If you're talking about [43:50] Perhaps a humongous [43:51] Scaled attack [43:52] That actually could happen [43:54] Are we waiting [43:55] For that type of attack [43:56] I mean what exactly [43:57] Is a scale here [43:58] Sorry you said [44:02] What exactly is a scale [44:03] Well I mean like [44:04] What type of attack [44:05] Would it take [44:06] To actually get a reaction [44:08] From the United States [44:09] To say okay now [44:10] We're actually going to [44:11] Start dropping bombs [44:12] On Iran [44:14] Before having bad behavior [44:16] Well we don't want [44:16] Any scale of any attack [44:18] Any attack [44:19] Whatever its scale [44:20] Is unacceptable [44:20] Under this agreement [44:21] Now you asked the question [44:23] Saying that oil money [44:24] Was flowing to Hezbollah [44:26] Before the MOU [44:27] Was signed [44:28] And it's one of the reasons [44:30] Why we are actually [44:31] Engaged in this process [44:32] Is to ensure that [44:33] No money is flowing [44:34] To Hezbollah [44:34] So it's interesting [44:36] Where people will say [44:37] That the MOU [44:38] Is bad [44:39] Because the MOU [44:41] Produces consequences [44:42] That were actually [44:43] Happening well before [44:44] The MOU was signed [44:45] That's not a reflection [44:46] On the MOU [44:47] That's a reflection [44:48] Of why we need [44:49] The MOU [44:50] To ensure that we have [44:51] The regional peace [44:52] And stability that we need [44:53] Now what I would say [44:54] To you know [44:55] Some of the [44:56] Critics of the deal [44:58] That I've heard [44:58] That will say [45:00] Well Iran's going to [45:00] Get all this benefit [45:01] I'll repeat what I've said [45:03] And I'm probably going to [45:03] Have to repeat it [45:04] A number of times [45:05] Is what is the benefit [45:06] That the Iranians get [45:08] That they didn't have before [45:10] And the answer is [45:11] Nothing [45:12] They don't get anything [45:14] Unless they change [45:15] Their behavior [45:15] If they change their behavior [45:17] That is a thing to celebrate [45:18] That's going to transform [45:19] The Middle East [45:20] For a generation [45:21] If they don't change [45:22] Their behavior [45:22] They don't get the benefit [45:24] Of the bargain [45:24] And I think [45:25] I've got to be honest [45:25] I think fundamentally [45:26] Fundamentally this idea [45:28] That [45:29] And it's a [45:31] Misrepresentation [45:32] Of the MOU [45:33] This idea [45:34] That the Iranians [45:34] Get all these benefits [45:35] Before the deal [45:37] Is actually consummated [45:39] The idea [45:40] That they get benefits [45:41] Before they change [45:42] Their behavior [45:43] Is fundamentally [45:44] A talking point [45:45] That is issued [45:46] By people [45:47] Who want the conflict [45:48] To continue indefinitely [45:49] Despite the fact [45:51] That that's not good [45:51] For the American people [45:52] And it's not good [45:53] For the region [45:54] Way in the back [45:55] All the way back [45:58] Of the red [45:59] Thank you so much [45:59] Mr. Vice President [46:00] Thank you [46:01] Mr. Vice President [46:02] Red here [46:03] You mean [46:03] Are you sorry [46:04] We'll do [46:05] Okay sorry [46:05] Thank you [46:06] I'm wearing bright red [46:07] So many people [46:07] Are wearing red [46:08] You can go first [46:09] Kara right [46:10] Thank you [46:10] Kara [46:10] Okay and then next [46:11] After that [46:11] Okay great [46:12] Could you highlight [46:13] The major differences [46:14] Between this deal [46:15] And President Obama's [46:17] Deal in 2015 [46:17] And why the administration [46:19] Believes that this deal [46:20] Is superior [46:20] And second [46:21] Mr. Vice President [46:23] President Trump [46:23] Has been vocal lately [46:24] About his disapproval [46:26] For BB-9 [46:27] Who's attacks on Lebanon [46:28] Has the administration [46:30] Spoken to BB Netanyahu [46:32] Directly about the [46:33] President's concerns [46:34] Recently and what [46:34] Is the feedback [46:35] From Israel [46:36] Yeah so we speak [46:38] To BB or speak [46:39] To somebody [46:39] In the Israeli [46:40] Government [46:41] Just as we speak [46:41] To the Gulf Coast [46:42] Coalition [46:43] Our regional partners [46:43] Pretty much every day [46:45] At least at some [46:46] High level of our [46:46] Government [46:47] Look the president [46:48] Has been very clear [46:49] He does not [46:50] Withdraw from Israel [46:51] No one could [46:52] Withdraw from another [46:53] Country the right [46:54] Of self-defense [46:55] Israel has the right [46:56] To defend itself [46:56] But fundamentally [46:57] The Israelis [46:59] Just like everybody [47:00] Else have to respect [47:01] This peace process [47:02] That is fundamentally [47:03] Good for them [47:04] And good for the [47:05] Entire region [47:05] What the president [47:06] Has grown frustrated [47:07] Sometimes is that [47:08] We seem to be [47:09] Right on the cusp [47:09] Of a major breakthrough [47:10] In the agreement [47:11] And then all of a sudden [47:12] There's a major explosion [47:14] That goes off [47:14] In a civilian population [47:15] Center in Beirut [47:16] And a lot of people [47:17] Who have nothing to do [47:18] With Hezbollah [47:19] Lose their lives [47:19] That's not acceptable [47:20] That's the sort of thing [47:22] That we've asked [47:23] For closer coordination [47:24] So that we ensure [47:25] It doesn't happen [47:25] And our message [47:26] To the Israelis [47:27] Just as our message [47:27] To everybody else [47:28] Is fundamentally [47:29] We want this peace [47:30] Process to be good [47:31] For you [47:32] We do not want [47:33] Hezbollah attacking Israel [47:34] But in order to ensure [47:36] That that happens [47:37] We have got to actually [47:39] Build the kind of [47:40] Regional framework [47:40] That can cut off [47:42] The money to Hezbollah [47:43] Cut off Iranian support [47:44] For Hezbollah [47:45] And also ensure [47:46] That Lebanon's [47:47] Territorial sovereignty [47:49] Is respected [47:49] By all parties [47:51] And the difference [47:52] Between the two agreements [47:53] So first of all [47:54] The two big differences [47:56] Are not even in the substance [47:58] Of the deal itself [47:59] But something I said earlier [48:01] Are number one [48:03] The Gulf Coast Coalition [48:05] Loves this deal [48:07] Because they think [48:07] That it makes Iran weaker [48:08] They hated the Obama deal [48:10] Because they thought [48:11] That it made Iran stronger [48:12] They know more about this [48:13] And they have more to lose [48:14] Than anybody [48:15] Including the United States [48:16] Of America [48:17] So I trust their judgment [48:18] The second thing [48:19] Is where the deal came from [48:21] You have to remember [48:22] In 2015 [48:23] Iran had built [48:24] A sophisticated [48:25] Nuclear weapons program [48:27] With a nuclear weapons stockpile [48:29] So the perspective [48:30] That we came at [48:31] As the United States [48:32] Was you already have [48:33] A really nice nuclear program [48:34] We're going to bribe you [48:35] With American money [48:37] In order to stop it [48:38] Our perspective [48:39] And where we're coming at it [48:40] Is we already destroyed [48:42] Your nuclear program [48:43] And so [48:44] If you promise [48:45] And show verifiable [48:47] Pathways [48:49] To not rebuild it [48:50] Then we're willing [48:52] To give you [48:52] Some sanctions relief [48:53] And things like that [48:54] So it's a fundamentally [48:55] Different perspective [48:55] Now there are all these [48:56] Substantive differences [48:57] As well [48:58] The Obama nuclear deal [48:59] Allowed enrichment [49:00] Ours will not [49:01] The Obama deal [49:02] Allowed the accumulation [49:03] Of stockpiled [49:04] Weapons grade material [49:06] Ours is actually [49:07] Leading to the destruction [49:08] Of that stockpile [49:09] Of enriched material [49:10] So there are many differences [49:11] The Obama deal [49:12] Gave them over a billion dollars [49:13] Of American money [49:14] This deal gives them [49:16] Zero dollars [49:17] Of American money [49:18] So a lot of substantive differences [49:20] But I think the most important differences [49:22] Are where we're coming at it [49:23] From a position of strength [49:24] And the fact that our [49:25] Gulf Coast partners [49:26] Love this deal [49:26] Sorry [49:30] I said the other [49:31] All the way in the back [49:32] Thank you [49:33] The president has said [49:35] That if Iran doesn't behave themselves [49:37] We're going to resume military action [49:38] So what is the red line [49:40] For what Iran can do [49:43] Before they cross that red line [49:44] And we do resume military action [49:46] Well it's just [49:47] It's going to be [49:47] A holistic approach [49:48] Where we look at their behavior [49:49] Are they funding terrorism [49:51] Are they leading to attacks [49:53] Of other people [49:53] Are they trying to get centrifuges [49:55] To redevelop their [49:56] Nuclear weapons program [49:57] There are all these questions [49:58] That we're going to ask [49:59] About whether they've actually [49:59] Changed their behavior [50:00] Do they allow the inspectors in [50:02] As they have promised [50:03] That they would do [50:04] Or do they refuse [50:05] To allow those inspectors in [50:06] A whole host of things [50:07] We're going to see [50:08] We're working towards [50:10] A very successful resolution [50:11] Of this process [50:12] But again it takes two to tango [50:13] And what the president's just saying [50:14] Is that we maintain [50:16] Economic, diplomatic [50:18] And military leverage [50:19] That nobody else in the world has [50:21] So if the Iranians want to change [50:23] Great [50:23] We're going to help them [50:24] If they don't change [50:26] We still got all the cards [50:27] Thank you [50:29] Oh sorry [50:30] In the blue jacket [50:32] This one right here [50:33] This one right here [50:34] Mr. Vice President [50:35] That's a navy jacket [50:36] Should we have a debate [50:39] About the difference [50:39] Between blue and navy [50:40] Not that guy [50:41] Because you give a speech [50:42] Whenever you ask a question [50:43] I'm going to give her [50:44] An opportunity [50:45] Hold on [50:48] Guys [50:50] You're speaking over [50:51] The person who's asking the question [50:53] There's been a lot of [50:54] Americans particularly [50:55] About the gas prices [50:56] You touted the fact [50:57] That the coming [50:57] President has gone [50:58] A true social touting this [51:00] But when should they [51:01] Expect to see gas [51:02] Reach that $3 threshold [51:04] Well I'm not an economist [51:06] And I think even the economists [51:07] Would get this wrong [51:08] But the fact that you've seen [51:09] Gas come down [51:10] About 65 cents a gallon [51:11] On the national average [51:12] And the fact that you see [51:13] Oil prices [51:14] That are basically [51:16] Close to where they were [51:18] At the very beginning [51:19] Of the conflict [51:19] I think you're going to see [51:20] A substantial reduction [51:21] In gas prices [51:22] I'm not going to predict [51:23] The exact price [51:24] If I was able to do that [51:25] I might be in a different [51:26] Business than politics [51:27] But we do think [51:28] You're going to see [51:29] Significant relief [51:30] Of the pump [51:31] On top of what we've [51:32] Already seen [51:32] You keep saying [51:35] That Iran will only [51:36] Reap economic rewards [51:37] If they comply [51:38] And change their behavior [51:39] But under this deal [51:41] They are being allowed [51:42] Now to sell their oil [51:43] Freely [51:43] Again how is that [51:44] Not a financial benefit [51:45] And they're being allowed [51:46] To do that [51:47] Without making any new [51:48] Concrete nuclear commitments [51:50] So can you explain [51:51] How is that not lopsided [51:52] Well first of all [51:53] They've made very concrete [51:55] Nuclear commitments [51:55] They have committed [51:56] To the destruction [51:57] Of the highly enriched [51:58] Stockpile that they have [51:59] In their possession [52:00] But number two [52:01] All we've done is [52:03] Lift the blockade [52:04] And the straits of [52:04] We basically returned it [52:05] To where it was [52:06] Before the conflict [52:07] The blockade is off [52:08] We put that in [52:09] After the conflict started [52:10] The straits are now open [52:12] That's not a new benefit [52:13] To the Iranians [52:14] They were selling oil [52:15] For many many years [52:16] Well before we ever [52:17] Put the blockade [52:18] We opposed that blockade [52:20] They stopped selling oil [52:22] And now we've lifted [52:23] The blockade [52:23] In order to promote [52:24] The free flow of energy [52:25] Across the world [52:27] Go ahead [52:27] A U.S. official [52:29] Described having secured [52:31] Some of these [52:31] Quote unquote [52:32] Gentleman's agreements [52:33] With Iran [52:34] On certain aspects [52:35] Of the negotiation [52:36] So when it comes [52:37] To highly enriched uranium [52:38] Can you walk us through [52:39] What's been secured [52:40] Even in these [52:41] Kind of gentleman's agreements [52:42] On how exactly [52:43] They're going to get rid [52:44] Of the stockpile [52:45] Are there agreements [52:46] On low grade enrichment [52:47] How long is the moratorium [52:49] On enriching uranium [52:51] For Iran [52:52] And are any of these [52:53] Gentleman's agreements [52:54] Written down anywhere [52:55] So some of them [52:57] Are written down [52:58] But fundamentally [52:58] Whether they're written down [52:59] Or spoken [53:00] This is why we structure [53:01] The deal that we did [53:02] Because we don't trust words [53:03] We trust action [53:04] And we trust conduct [53:05] And so we're going to [53:06] Reward conduct [53:07] And we're not going to [53:08] Reward any words [53:09] Whether they're written [53:09] On a sheet of paper [53:10] Or not [53:10] There's a lot of discussion [53:12] The MOU [53:12] The gentleman's agreements [53:14] The final deal [53:15] Words don't matter [53:17] Ladies and gentlemen [53:17] We're about verification [53:18] And so what we're going to do [53:20] Is to say [53:21] If they do the things [53:22] That they have promised to do [53:23] They have promised [53:24] Not to enrich [53:25] They have promised [53:26] That they would allow [53:27] Inspectors in [53:27] To destroy that [53:28] Highly enriched stockpile [53:29] And then of course [53:30] It's not usable anymore [53:31] You take it somewhere else [53:33] They promised a number of things [53:34] And that's why [53:35] The deal contemplates [53:36] A number of benefits [53:37] If they do those things [53:38] But it doesn't do anything [53:40] If they don't actually [53:41] Meet those promises [53:42] Go ahead [53:44] If they don't follow through [53:47] With their commitment [53:48] Will the U.S. go back [53:50] To imposing sanctions [53:51] And the blockade [53:52] Or does Iran get to keep [53:54] Some of the concessions [53:55] That it has already secured [53:56] Well first of all [53:57] The sanctions are still on [53:59] With the exception [53:59] Of the oil sanctions [54:01] Which I talked about [54:02] Were no longer effective [54:03] The purpose of the oil sanctions [54:04] Is to drive down [54:06] How much Iran is charging [54:08] For a price [54:09] For a barrel of oil [54:10] Those sanctions [54:11] Had stopped being effective [54:12] The blockade [54:13] Is what's effective [54:14] And again [54:14] That's the thing [54:15] That has changed [54:16] In accordance with them [54:17] Opening the Strait of Hormuz [54:18] No sanctions will come off [54:20] Unless they perform [54:21] The benefit of the bargain [54:22] And every sanction [54:23] Will come back on [54:24] Hypothetically [54:26] Let's say [54:27] Two years down the road [54:28] They've done what we need [54:29] To see on the nuclear program [54:30] And we release the sanctions [54:32] As the deal contemplates [54:33] Then they decide [54:34] They're going to start [54:35] Rebuilding the nuclear program [54:36] Then of course [54:37] Those sanctions [54:38] Are going to come back on [54:39] And that's why [54:39] It's really kind of like a dial [54:40] As they dial up [54:41] Their good behavior [54:42] We can dial up [54:43] The economic relief [54:44] If they dial down [54:45] Their good behavior [54:46] We can turn it off [54:47] It's the good thing [54:48] About having the leverage [54:49] And it's a good thing [54:50] About being the United States [54:51] Of America [54:51] Where we just fundamentally [54:52] Have so much influence [54:54] In the world financial system [54:55] Go ahead [54:56] Thank you Mr. Vice President [54:57] Thank you Mr. Vice President [54:58] Leader Thun said [55:00] It's unrealistic [55:00] To get the Save America Act [55:02] Passed by attaching it [55:03] To a visa [55:04] Which is what the President [55:05] Is looking for [55:06] Do you believe this is possible? [55:07] Well I [55:07] Why don't we try [55:08] Why don't we try [55:09] And at least force people [55:11] To vote against it [55:11] One of the things that [55:12] You know sometimes frustrates me [55:13] About the legislative process [55:15] Is that people will go into it [55:17] Saying this isn't possible [55:18] Therefore we're not even going to try [55:20] Well let's actually see [55:22] Let's try it [55:22] And if it's not possible [55:24] Then let the people [55:25] Put their name on it [55:26] This is also good [55:26] For the American people [55:27] How many American senators [55:30] Know that the American people [55:33] Love the Save America Act [55:34] Because they believe in voter ID [55:36] But how many of those same senators [55:38] Don't want to vote for it [55:39] Because they know [55:40] That the radical elements [55:41] Within their own party [55:42] Would punish them for it [55:43] Let people go on the record [55:45] And actually answer [55:46] To the American people [55:47] Which is why I think [55:48] We should do exactly [55:48] As the president said [55:49] Rob [55:51] Thank you very much [55:57] On Monday we were told [56:00] The MOU will be published [56:01] Within 48 hours [56:03] The president then said [56:05] After Friday [56:06] You I think then said [56:07] By Friday [56:08] And then it ended up [56:09] Being read out [56:10] On a briefing call yesterday [56:12] We were told [56:13] The MOU had been signed [56:14] Electronically [56:15] On Sunday [56:16] There was an anxious report [56:17] That it hadn't been [56:18] That there's going to be [56:19] A signing ceremony on Friday [56:20] And then it signed at Versailles [56:21] Yesterday [56:22] Last night [56:23] Is what's going on [56:26] Behind the scenes [56:27] As chaotic [56:28] As your public messaging [56:29] Well I don't think [56:31] Our public messaging [56:33] Has been chaotic [56:34] I think dealing with [56:34] A fractured Iranian system [56:37] Where communication isn't great [56:38] Is just sometimes [56:39] Something that [56:40] We don't fully appreciate [56:42] Or we don't fully understand [56:43] What really happened here [56:45] Is that we did sign [56:46] The MOU on Sunday [56:47] That locked in [56:49] The terms of the deal [56:50] What the Iranians [56:51] Came to us and said [56:52] Is we'd like not to [56:53] Release the text [56:54] Until Friday [56:54] In order [56:55] I don't really understand that [56:56] I wanted to get the text [56:57] Out immediately [56:58] But in order to be [56:59] Accommodating to them [57:00] We said sure [57:00] Okay we'll wait until Friday [57:01] And then what happened [57:03] Over Monday, Tuesday [57:04] The president was in G7 [57:05] Maybe foreign leaders [57:06] Were talking to the Iranians [57:08] And encouraging them to do that [57:09] We were definitely saying to them [57:11] We understand your desire [57:12] Not to have the text out [57:14] Until Friday [57:14] But you know [57:15] We live in a democratic system [57:17] The American people [57:17] Want to see the text [57:18] Of this deal [57:19] We would certainly like [57:20] To get it out [57:20] As soon as possible [57:21] And so they came up [57:22] With having their president [57:24] Sign it [57:24] Our president sign it [57:26] And then just releasing [57:27] The text as a signed document [57:28] Immediately at that point [57:30] I do wonder Rob [57:31] Just this is pure conjecture [57:33] I'm just guessing at this [57:35] I wonder if part of it [57:36] Is that they wanted to have [57:37] A Persian translation [57:39] A Farsi translation [57:41] That they felt good about [57:42] And then of course [57:42] Once they translated into Farsi [57:44] Our state department [57:45] Has to confirm [57:46] That the Farsi translation [57:48] Matches the meaning [57:48] Of the English [57:49] I think that is part [57:50] Of what was going on here [57:51] But the text is out there now [57:53] We said that we would be [57:54] Transparent about it [57:55] But the reason why [57:56] It went back and forth [57:57] A little bit about [57:58] When exactly the text [57:59] Would be released [58:00] Is just we were trying [58:01] To show good faith [58:02] To the Iranians [58:02] Who for reasons [58:03] I have no idea [58:04] Cared a lot about [58:06] How the text itself [58:07] Was rolled out [58:08] Blue tie there [58:09] Thank you very much [58:12] Thank you very much [58:13] Mr. President [58:14] As you know [58:15] Because you were involved [58:16] In this process [58:17] The MOU allows for Iran [58:20] To sell its oil right away [58:21] Which means that Iran [58:22] Can take in [58:24] On a monthly basis [58:25] Tens of millions of dollars [58:28] Iran's economy [58:29] Was in tatters [58:30] How is this not [58:32] Essentially giving a lifeline [58:34] To Iran economically [58:36] And what's to prevent Iran [58:38] From using all of that money [58:40] All of those millions [58:41] Of dollars [58:42] To prop up [58:42] Its proxies [58:44] In the region [58:44] Well the number one thing [58:46] Is that we actually see [58:47] Where the money moves now [58:48] Because of what we've done [58:49] With the financial sanctions [58:51] We actually know [58:52] Where the money is going to move [58:53] And so we have great confidence [58:55] That we're going to be able to see [58:55] If they try to fund [58:56] Terrorist organizations [58:57] We're going to be able to see that [58:59] But you said that [58:59] Millions of dollars [59:00] Is a lifeline [59:02] Right now [59:03] While the Iranian nation [59:04] Is a nation of 94 million people [59:06] Their economy is in a free fall [59:09] They have sky high inflation [59:10] And fundamentally [59:12] About a trillion dollars of damage [59:14] To their industrial base [59:16] Was caused [59:16] Over the last three months [59:18] The idea that selling [59:20] A few million dollars worth of barrel [59:22] Barrels [59:23] Or a few million dollars worth of oil [59:25] Is going to fundamentally transform [59:26] The Iranian economy [59:27] That's just not true [59:28] We thought that it would be good [59:30] In order to lift the blockade [59:31] And open the Straits of Hormuz [59:33] To allow the free flow of energy [59:35] We felt that it was reasonable [59:37] That if we're going to allow [59:37] Everybody else to sell their energy [59:39] During this period of negotiation [59:40] We would allow everyone [59:42] To sell their energy [59:43] That's all we're doing [59:44] We can slap everything right back on [59:46] If the Iranians don't make the deal [59:48] That we expect [59:48] Yeah [59:49] Mr Vice President [59:52] Me? [59:53] Mr Vice President? [59:54] Either one [59:55] Either one [59:56] Mr Vice President [59:57] Yeah, no, no [59:58] Yeah, yeah [59:58] Guys, how about [59:59] How about both of you? [1:00:00] Go ahead [1:00:01] So, President Trump said [1:00:03] We'll finish one [1:00:03] Talking about Iran [1:00:04] And he said [1:00:05] Then Cuba is next [1:00:06] Is Cuba next? [1:00:08] And also on Colombia [1:00:09] Mr Vice President [1:00:10] He has mentioned Colombia [1:00:11] Three times this week [1:00:12] Why is it so important [1:00:14] The election day in Colombia [1:00:15] For President Trump? [1:00:16] You guys have to ask Marco [1:00:17] About Cuba [1:00:18] That's not [1:00:18] Look, our view [1:00:23] Go ahead in a second [1:00:26] But let me just actually [1:00:27] Ask this guy's question [1:00:28] Fundamentally in Cuba [1:00:29] It is a system [1:00:30] That hasn't worked [1:00:31] They can't make any money [1:00:33] Their economy is [1:00:34] Frankly probably [1:00:35] In worse shape [1:00:36] Than the Iranian economy [1:00:36] It's 90 miles [1:00:38] From our shore [1:00:39] So every time [1:00:39] That there's a crisis [1:00:40] You end up having [1:00:41] Desperate refugees [1:00:42] Or desperate [1:00:43] You know [1:00:44] People who can't feed [1:00:45] Their families [1:00:45] Trying to flood [1:00:46] Into our country [1:00:46] We want the people [1:00:48] Of Cuba to be happy [1:00:49] And successful [1:00:49] We're actually talking [1:00:51] To the Iranian [1:00:51] Or excuse me [1:00:52] The Cuban government [1:00:53] Right now [1:00:53] About how they could [1:00:54] Change their ways [1:00:55] To change that [1:00:56] We're going to see [1:00:56] What they do [1:00:57] And obviously [1:00:57] If they do one thing [1:00:59] We're going to do something [1:01:00] If they make smart decisions [1:01:02] We're going to have [1:01:02] A much better relationship [1:01:03] With that island [1:01:04] Go ahead [1:01:05] I'm Mr Vice President [1:01:06] Mr Vice President [1:01:07] Thank you so much [1:01:08] I know that you [1:01:10] Are still not sure [1:01:11] If you are going [1:01:12] To run for president [1:01:14] In 2028 [1:01:14] But if you do not [1:01:15] Is there anyone [1:01:16] In particular [1:01:17] That you would want [1:01:19] To see run [1:01:20] What's your name [1:01:22] Steven Kapuska [1:01:23] I want Steven Kapuska [1:01:25] To run for president [1:01:25] In 2028 [1:01:26] Go ahead [1:01:30] Go ahead [1:01:32] Thank you [1:01:33] I've got two questions [1:01:35] Could you describe [1:01:36] The status of your [1:01:37] Switzerland trip [1:01:38] Are you definitely [1:01:39] Still going [1:01:40] What are your plans [1:01:41] And also [1:01:41] If we could drill down [1:01:42] On frozen funds [1:01:44] There's been a lot [1:01:45] Of focus on [1:01:45] Oil sanctions [1:01:46] But on frozen funds [1:01:47] What's your understanding [1:01:49] Of how much money [1:01:50] Is frozen [1:01:51] How much of that [1:01:52] Is in the US [1:01:53] And a senior administration [1:01:55] Official briefed [1:01:56] Some of us [1:01:56] Reporters earlier this week [1:01:57] That there might be [1:01:58] Small antis [1:01:59] Is what he said [1:02:00] Like small releases [1:02:02] Of money [1:02:02] To build trust [1:02:03] With the Iranians [1:02:03] Early on [1:02:04] Can you describe [1:02:05] That whole situation [1:02:07] So on the frozen funds [1:02:09] The amount of money [1:02:10] I honestly don't know [1:02:11] I've heard numbers [1:02:12] North of $100 billion [1:02:13] I've actually heard numbers [1:02:14] North of $200 billion [1:02:15] Most of it is not [1:02:17] In United States accounts [1:02:18] Most of it's either [1:02:19] In the Gulf [1:02:19] Or in Europe [1:02:20] Or somewhere else [1:02:21] But I don't know [1:02:22] The exact amount of money [1:02:23] It's a lot [1:02:24] It's one of the reasons [1:02:25] Why we've had [1:02:25] Such a successful chokehold [1:02:27] On the Iranian economy [1:02:29] Though not even close [1:02:31] To the main reason [1:02:32] We're not releasing [1:02:33] A single dollar [1:02:34] Of that money [1:02:35] Until the Iranians perform [1:02:36] And there are a number [1:02:37] Of ways they could perform [1:02:38] For example [1:02:39] Let's say they actually [1:02:40] Take meaningful steps [1:02:41] And this could happen [1:02:42] Very quickly [1:02:43] To destroy that stockpile [1:02:44] Of enriched material [1:02:45] Then we're going to have [1:02:46] A conversation about it [1:02:47] But they have to perform [1:02:48] I've seen some reports [1:02:50] I don't know where this came from [1:02:52] That the Qataris [1:02:53] Had released billions of dollars [1:02:54] In Iranian assets [1:02:55] That's just not true [1:02:56] It would be impossible [1:02:57] For the Qataris to do that [1:02:59] Without our buy-in [1:03:00] And certainly without us [1:03:01] Seeing it [1:03:01] So a lot of this reporting [1:03:03] Is just fundamentally wrong [1:03:04] They don't get a dollar [1:03:05] Of unfrozen assets [1:03:07] Their money [1:03:07] Not our money [1:03:08] But they don't get a dollar [1:03:09] Of unfrozen assets [1:03:10] Until they actually [1:03:11] Perform under the deal [1:03:12] You asked about [1:03:13] You asked about Switzerland [1:03:14] Our plan is to go to Switzerland [1:03:16] I don't know exactly when [1:03:17] The way that we're setting up [1:03:19] This technical negotiation [1:03:20] Is that obviously [1:03:21] You're going to have [1:03:22] The political leadership involved [1:03:23] Excuse me [1:03:24] We're going to have people [1:03:25] On the ground [1:03:26] Actually driving [1:03:27] The technical talks [1:03:28] The nuclear talks [1:03:29] How do you destroy [1:03:30] This highly enriched uranium [1:03:31] All that stuff [1:03:32] That you really just have [1:03:34] To get into the nitty gritty on [1:03:35] So you know [1:03:36] I plan to go to Switzerland [1:03:38] Exactly when [1:03:39] You know we thought [1:03:40] We think these technical negotiations [1:03:42] Are going to start sometime [1:03:42] This weekend [1:03:43] That's still the plan [1:03:44] But that could change [1:03:46] Because it's not an easy country [1:03:47] Iran to get out of [1:03:49] And so we're trying to figure out [1:03:50] Exactly when that's going to happen [1:03:51] I suspect this weekend [1:03:53] But I'm not sure [1:03:54] I may [1:03:58] It just depends on exactly [1:04:00] When the Iranians can get there [1:04:01] We're trying to figure that out [1:04:02] As we speak [1:04:03] But again [1:04:03] I suspect it will happen [1:04:04] This weekend [1:04:05] We're going to find out [1:04:05] Exactly when [1:04:06] The coming days [1:04:07] Go ahead [1:04:08] Well thank you so much [1:04:10] Mr. Vice President [1:04:10] Just two questions for you [1:04:12] To follow up on an earlier question [1:04:14] Secretary Rubio said in March [1:04:15] That the goal of this war [1:04:18] Was to quote [1:04:19] To eliminate the threat of Iran's [1:04:21] Short range ballistic missiles [1:04:22] You just said earlier [1:04:23] That the military program [1:04:25] Is destroyed [1:04:25] U.S. intelligence estimates [1:04:27] That Iran still retains [1:04:28] Roughly 70% [1:04:29] Of its pre-war ballistic [1:04:31] And cruise missile stockpile [1:04:32] So when did the administration [1:04:34] Decide to abandon [1:04:35] That part of the original mission [1:04:36] And then just second [1:04:38] As well [1:04:38] Moving forward [1:04:39] Are you leading the U.S. team [1:04:41] Moving forward [1:04:41] In terms of the negotiations [1:04:43] How involved will you be [1:04:44] Yeah so I'm certainly planning [1:04:45] To lead the U.S. negotiating team [1:04:47] But on the first question [1:04:48] You know you talked about [1:04:49] An intelligence report [1:04:50] That was anonymously leaked [1:04:52] To a reporter [1:04:53] That was not with context [1:04:54] And that frankly [1:04:56] Is not accurate [1:04:57] What has changed [1:04:59] About Iranians [1:05:00] About the Iranian [1:05:01] Ballistics Missile Program [1:05:02] Is it matters much less [1:05:05] The number of missiles [1:05:06] They have [1:05:07] The number of bullets [1:05:08] What matters much more [1:05:09] Is the number of launchers [1:05:10] They have [1:05:11] And importantly [1:05:11] The teams on the ground [1:05:12] That have the capacity [1:05:13] To launch those missiles [1:05:15] Their ability to launch missiles [1:05:17] Has been substantially degraded [1:05:18] Is it zero [1:05:19] No [1:05:20] But it's substantially degraded [1:05:21] And in that sense [1:05:22] We haven't abandoned [1:05:23] The mission [1:05:24] We've accomplished [1:05:25] That particular part [1:05:26] Of the mission [1:05:26] If you look at [1:05:26] The Gulf Arab allies [1:05:28] And obviously [1:05:29] The Israelis [1:05:29] Who faced a lot [1:05:30] The two of them [1:05:31] Together [1:05:32] Faced a brunt [1:05:33] Of these missile attacks [1:05:34] Each of them feels [1:05:36] Substantially safer today [1:05:37] From the Iranian missile threat [1:05:39] Than they did before [1:05:40] Obviously [1:05:40] That is something [1:05:41] That we would like to continue [1:05:43] All the president said [1:05:44] Yesterday [1:05:44] Is that you can't expect [1:05:46] To any country [1:05:47] To give up its right [1:05:48] Of self-defense [1:05:49] You have to have parity [1:05:50] And that's what the president [1:05:52] Of the United States [1:05:52] Was talking about [1:05:53] Go ahead [1:05:55] No, no, guys, guys, guys [1:06:00] Yeah [1:06:00] Leo's reaction to the MOU [1:06:03] The memorandum of understanding [1:06:04] I have [1:06:05] What did he say? [1:06:06] All right, okay [1:06:06] I'll give you the short version [1:06:07] MOU, Coles [1:06:08] Sir [1:06:08] Yeah, sorry [1:06:09] Okay [1:06:10] He said [1:06:10] Go ahead [1:06:11] After you [1:06:11] I'll give you the short version [1:06:12] He says he welcomes the agreement [1:06:15] Between the U.S. and Iran [1:06:16] He says he hopes it will help [1:06:17] Strengthen mutual trust [1:06:19] Security [1:06:20] And stability [1:06:21] In the Middle East [1:06:22] And he also hopes [1:06:23] That is truly a solution [1:06:24] To the war [1:06:25] And that the war [1:06:26] Is really over [1:06:27] What do you say to the Pope, sir? [1:06:28] My response to that is [1:06:29] Praise Jesus [1:06:30] I'm glad that the Pope [1:06:31] Has positive things to say [1:06:32] About our MOU [1:06:33] I think that the Pope [1:06:34] Is fundamentally accurate [1:06:35] And it's going to be good [1:06:36] For the entire world [1:06:37] But we've got to keep [1:06:38] Working at it [1:06:39] To make sure that the Iranians [1:06:40] Honor the commitments [1:06:41] That they've made [1:06:41] And then, yes, you [1:06:42] In front [1:06:42] Go ahead [1:06:43] How's your book feeling? [1:06:45] The thing is [1:06:49] There's so many people in here [1:06:50] I could say the red tie [1:06:51] And then nine of you [1:06:52] Start shouting at us [1:06:53] The burgundy tie [1:06:55] There we go [1:06:58] That guy [1:06:59] Thank you [1:07:00] The MOU calls for a U.S. troop withdrawal [1:07:03] From the Gulf region [1:07:04] Tied to the final deal [1:07:06] Can you say [1:07:07] Whether the drawdown [1:07:08] Will affect U.S. forces [1:07:09] Pasture [1:07:10] Iraq and Syria [1:07:11] Where American troops [1:07:13] Currently help protect Kurdish [1:07:14] Held areas [1:07:15] From the Iranian-backed militias [1:07:17] Okay, so the drawdown [1:07:18] Contemplate [1:07:19] Again, this is the final deal [1:07:20] This is assuming [1:07:21] That the Iranians comply [1:07:22] That they give us verification [1:07:23] That they take real [1:07:25] Substantial conduct [1:07:26] Towards this peace agreement [1:07:28] What we're saying [1:07:29] Is that we will withdraw troops [1:07:31] To the pre-conflict level [1:07:33] Meaning [1:07:33] We're not going to keep [1:07:34] A couple of extra aircraft [1:07:35] Carrier groups over there [1:07:36] The Iranians don't want that [1:07:37] Frankly [1:07:37] We don't want that either [1:07:38] Go ahead [1:07:39] To be funding [1:07:43] That $300 billion fund [1:07:44] Who exactly [1:07:45] Is funding that [1:07:46] Is that private companies [1:07:47] And I also noticed [1:07:48] That your voice is hoarse [1:07:49] Are you sick [1:07:50] Have you been using [1:07:51] Your voice a lot [1:07:52] Well, I've been on [1:07:54] A bit of a book tour [1:07:55] The past couple of days [1:07:56] But I can't promote my book [1:07:57] Here in the White House [1:07:58] Press briefing room [1:07:59] I had a cold [1:08:00] About a week ago [1:08:01] That and talking a lot [1:08:02] About this deal [1:08:02] And talking a lot [1:08:03] About the book [1:08:03] I'm definitely [1:08:04] A little bit hoarse [1:08:05] But you asked [1:08:06] Your first question [1:08:07] Was about [1:08:08] Is funding that $300 billion [1:08:10] Oh, I see [1:08:11] So what's interesting [1:08:12] About this is [1:08:13] There is a great desire [1:08:16] From the Arab world [1:08:18] And from outside [1:08:19] The Arab world [1:08:20] To actually get involved [1:08:22] In Iran [1:08:23] If they behave properly [1:08:24] So for example [1:08:25] Let's say the United Arab Emirates [1:08:27] Who have been a great ally [1:08:28] Over the last [1:08:28] Not just a few months [1:08:29] But over the last many years [1:08:30] Let's say that they would like [1:08:32] To invest in building [1:08:32] A power plant [1:08:33] That actually is impossible [1:08:34] Right now [1:08:35] Because of the way [1:08:36] That U.S. sanctions work [1:08:37] And so what we're saying [1:08:39] Is that if you behave [1:08:40] And if the Emiratis themselves [1:08:42] Want to build a power plant [1:08:43] Then we will do [1:08:45] The sanctions relief [1:08:46] Necessary to make that possible [1:08:47] The good thing about that [1:08:49] Is that it actually [1:08:50] Creates integration [1:08:51] Which is leverage [1:08:52] A world where [1:08:54] The Gulf Coast Coalition [1:08:55] Has greater leverage [1:08:57] Into the Iranian economy [1:08:58] Is a world where [1:08:59] The Iranians [1:09:00] Are going to be [1:09:01] Heavily prevented [1:09:02] From misbehaving [1:09:03] So it's a lot of [1:09:04] The Gulf Coast Coalition [1:09:05] Again, they see [1:09:06] That Iran is weakened [1:09:07] They see there's an opportunity [1:09:08] To build a new relationship there [1:09:10] And they're saying [1:09:10] If they behave [1:09:12] And if the United States [1:09:13] Is willing to allow this to happen [1:09:14] Then absolutely [1:09:15] We want to change [1:09:16] Our relationship with Iran [1:09:17] No, well, I mean [1:09:20] I assume that [1:09:21] In the United Arab Emirates [1:09:22] There would be private money [1:09:23] And so forth [1:09:24] That would be part of this [1:09:25] But again [1:09:25] This is so far in advance [1:09:27] Because it assumes [1:09:28] A transformation [1:09:29] In Iranian behavior [1:09:31] Sir [1:09:32] Thank you so much [1:09:33] Mr. Vice President [1:09:33] As you know [1:09:34] The Iranian-backed groups [1:09:35] In the region [1:09:36] Were involved in this war [1:09:37] And they damaged [1:09:38] U.S. facilities [1:09:39] And U.S. allies as well [1:09:40] How does this agreement [1:09:42] Affect Iran-backed groups [1:09:43] Across the region [1:09:44] Especially the Iranian-backed groups [1:09:45] In Iraq [1:09:46] And my second question [1:09:47] This agreement requires [1:09:49] Iran to stop attacking [1:09:50] The Kurdish opposition [1:09:51] In Kurdistan region [1:09:53] Which they did [1:09:53] Two days ago [1:09:54] So what this agreement [1:09:56] Does fundamentally [1:09:57] Is it requires Iran [1:09:58] To behave like a normal country [1:09:59] And if it doesn't [1:10:00] As so many people [1:10:01] Think that it never will [1:10:02] Then it doesn't get [1:10:03] Any of the economic benefits [1:10:05] And if they do [1:10:05] Then that's a great thing [1:10:07] For everybody [1:10:07] It's a great thing [1:10:08] For the Kurds [1:10:09] It's a great thing [1:10:09] For anybody [1:10:10] Who has been [1:10:11] Under the brunt [1:10:12] Or under the threat [1:10:13] Of Iranian-funded [1:10:15] Terrorist organizations [1:10:16] The expectation [1:10:16] Is that Iran [1:10:18] Will stop that [1:10:19] And if they don't [1:10:19] They don't get the benefits [1:10:21] Of the bargain [1:10:21] John [1:10:21] Thank you, Mr. Vice President [1:10:23] Many of the colleagues [1:10:24] That you served with [1:10:25] In the U.S. Senate [1:10:26] And Republican conference [1:10:28] Have criticized [1:10:29] This deal [1:10:30] Over the last 24 hours [1:10:32] What is your message [1:10:33] Mr. Vice President [1:10:35] Back to that [1:10:35] So I guess [1:10:36] I would say [1:10:37] To anybody [1:10:37] Any of the critics [1:10:38] Is number one [1:10:39] Have a little bit of faith [1:10:41] In the President [1:10:42] Of the United States [1:10:42] The idea [1:10:43] That he is going to [1:10:44] Strike a deal [1:10:45] That's been bad [1:10:45] For the American people [1:10:46] It's preposterous [1:10:48] He is the person [1:10:49] Who has had the courage [1:10:50] To fundamentally transform [1:10:51] Our relationship [1:10:52] With Iran [1:10:52] And with a lot of other countries [1:10:54] Over the last year and a half [1:10:55] He believes in this deal [1:10:57] He is going to see it [1:10:58] To completion [1:10:59] And if the Iranians [1:11:00] Don't comply [1:11:01] We still have [1:11:02] Every single tool [1:11:03] And point of leverage [1:11:04] That we have today [1:11:05] That would be message number one [1:11:06] Is have a little faith [1:11:07] In the President's ability [1:11:08] Given that he's got us this far [1:11:09] To take us the final step [1:11:11] The second thing [1:11:12] That I would say [1:11:13] Is so many of what I've read [1:11:15] Or heard [1:11:15] That people believe [1:11:16] About this deal [1:11:17] Is just fundamentally untrue [1:11:19] It is a memorandum [1:11:20] Of understanding [1:11:21] It is fundamentally a principle [1:11:23] That yes [1:11:24] The Straits of Hormuz [1:11:24] Are going to be open immediately [1:11:25] And they already are [1:11:26] Yes they're going to give up [1:11:28] Their highly enriched material [1:11:29] But they've got to actually do it [1:11:32] It's about conduct [1:11:33] It's about rewarding good conduct [1:11:35] And punishing bad conduct [1:11:37] Which in some ways [1:11:37] Is what we've been doing [1:11:38] For the last three months [1:11:39] Vis-a-vis that country anyway [1:11:41] So so many of the criticisms [1:11:43] I saw Lindsey Graham [1:11:44] Came out with a positive statement [1:11:46] After expressing some concerns [1:11:48] I think that when people [1:11:49] Get to understand [1:11:50] Not just the agreement [1:11:51] But our negotiating posture [1:11:52] As a country [1:11:53] They will realize [1:11:54] This is an excellent thing [1:11:55] For the American people [1:11:57] But that's part of our job [1:11:58] We've got to tell the story [1:11:59] About what this means [1:12:00] For Americans [1:12:01] How it's going to make [1:12:02] All of us safer [1:12:02] And more prosperous [1:12:03] That's why I'm here [1:12:04] Talking to everybody [1:12:05] And we're going to keep [1:12:06] On telling that story [1:12:07] In the days and weeks to come [1:12:09] Go ahead [1:12:10] Thank you sir [1:12:11] Jordan Conrads [1:12:12] With The Gateway Plenty [1:12:12] I want to talk [1:12:13] Back to the Lebanon [1:12:14] Proponia [1:12:15] Sure [1:12:15] There's a report in Axios [1:12:18] That Netanyahu [1:12:19] Is fuming over this [1:12:20] He doesn't [1:12:21] Israel doesn't feel [1:12:22] Bound to the MOU [1:12:24] As it relates to Lebanon [1:12:25] If as you mentioned [1:12:27] Your frustration [1:12:27] With Israel [1:12:28] Is real striking [1:12:30] In Beirut [1:12:31] Hitting apartment buildings [1:12:32] If that continues [1:12:33] Could it torpedo the deal [1:12:34] And what would [1:12:35] The U.S.'s response [1:12:36] Be to a broader war [1:12:38] In Lebanon [1:12:39] Yeah well [1:12:41] I don't want to get [1:12:42] Into hypotheticals [1:12:43] That could torpedo the deal [1:12:44] Because I think the president's [1:12:45] Expectation [1:12:46] Is that all of our friends [1:12:48] The Israelis [1:12:48] The Arabs in the region [1:12:50] We're going to work together [1:12:51] And actually see this deal [1:12:52] To completion [1:12:53] Now I saw the Axios report [1:12:54] You know [1:12:56] That Netanyahu is fuming [1:12:58] That's not reflective [1:12:59] Of the conversations [1:13:00] That I've had with him [1:13:01] But maybe he's saying [1:13:02] Something to somebody else [1:13:03] That he's not saying to me [1:13:04] What I will say [1:13:05] And this does bother me [1:13:06] Is that you've seen people [1:13:08] Within Bibi's cabinet [1:13:09] Who have come out [1:13:10] And attacked the deal [1:13:11] And in some ways [1:13:13] Very personally [1:13:14] Attacked the president [1:13:15] Of the United States [1:13:16] And I guess my message [1:13:17] To them would be twofold [1:13:18] Number one [1:13:20] Donald J. Trump [1:13:21] Is the only head of state [1:13:23] In the entire world [1:13:25] Who is sympathetic [1:13:26] To the nation of Israel [1:13:28] At this moment in time [1:13:29] And he happens to be [1:13:30] The head of state [1:13:31] Of the world's superpower [1:13:32] If I was in the cabinet [1:13:34] Of the Israeli government [1:13:35] I might not be attacking [1:13:37] The only powerful ally [1:13:39] That I have [1:13:40] Anywhere left [1:13:41] In the entire world [1:13:42] And the second message [1:13:43] I would give [1:13:44] To some of those cabinet members [1:13:45] Bibi, to his credit [1:13:46] Has not gone down this path [1:13:48] But to some of these cabinet members [1:13:50] In Israel [1:13:50] Who are attacking [1:13:51] The president of the United States [1:13:52] The other thing that I would say [1:13:53] Is that over the last three months [1:13:55] Two-thirds [1:13:57] Of the defensive weapons [1:13:58] That have protected [1:13:59] Your homeland [1:14:01] Have been built [1:14:02] By American hands [1:14:03] And paid for [1:14:04] By American tax dollars [1:14:06] The problem for Israel [1:14:07] Is not Donald J. Trump [1:14:09] And anybody in Israel [1:14:11] Who thinks their biggest problem [1:14:12] Is the president of the United States [1:14:14] Needs to wake up [1:14:15] And smell the reality [1:14:17] Of the situation [1:14:18] That country is in [1:14:19] Thank you all