Questions linger over U.S.-Iran deal as details remain murky

Amna Nawaz:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

President Trump spent today again meeting leaders of the top industrial nations at the G7 summit in the French Alps. And he again extolled the framework deal the U.S. struck with Iran this weekend to start nuclear negotiations and end the war. But the prevailing question tonight remains, what is actually in that deal?

Days after it was announced, no text has been released publicly. And complicating matters, Iran is demanding that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon as part of the agreement, which Israel says it will not do. A senior Iranian general said the Revolutionary Guard would strike Israel if it continues attacks in Lebanon.

That's just one of several sticking points that could scuttle any deal.

Our White House correspondent, Liz Landers, begins our coverage.

President Donald Trump:

The only thing that really matters to me is, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. And it says it loud and clear.

Liz Landers:

Today, at the G7 summit in Evian, France, President Trump once again hailed the new U.S. agreement with Iran. And he claimed once more that the text blocks Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons.

Donald Trump:

They're not going to develop it. They're not going to buy it. They're not going to do anything with it. And if they do, they suffer unbelievable consequences.

Liz Landers:

But days after the deal was announced, its text has not yet been publicly released, which has led to questions and skepticism from both Trump's critics and even his allies on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Trump said that, when he releases the text in a couple of days, that he'd leave no room for doubt.

Donald Trump:

I will actually -- I will not only release it. I will probably have a press conference and read it to you word by word, so that the press covers it accurately.

Liz Landers:

Swiss officials confirmed more details about the signing itself set to take place at a lavish Alpine resort near Luzern on Friday. But the beautiful vistas belie the thornier issues at the heart of the deal.

Under the agreement, the U.S. and Iran would extend their cease-fire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But significant roadblocks remain to ending the war, including the more detailed negotiations about Iran's nuclear program, which the country's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, says will start immediately with the U.S. after Friday's signing.

Donald Trump:

You could make the case why you're even bothering, because it's not really valuable.

Liz Landers:

But Trump has so far downplayed the urgency for extracting any nuclear material that Iran has.

Donald Trump:

We're in no rush, but we get it, and when we get it, we will destroy it.

Question:

Is that part of the agreement?

Donald Trump:

We're not looking to take it. We're looking to destroy it. We have plenty of it.

Liz Landers:

What's perhaps more urgent is that Araghchi also said he expected Israel to immediately withdraw its military from Lebanon and end its campaign against Hezbollah as part of the deal, a condition Israel has already rejected.

Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (through translator):

From our point of view, one side is the United States and Israel. On the other side is Iran and Hezbollah. Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end.

Donald Trump:

No, I'm not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah.

Liz Landers:

Asked today whether Israel could sink the agreement, President Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should -- quote -- "be more responsible and consider the bigger implications."

Donald Trump:

It just goes on forever. And when that happens, it throws a negative light on the big deal, and that's the deal with Iran.

Liz Landers:

Trump says he suggested to Israel that Syria would be more effective at dealing with a threat from Hezbollah, but Syria's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has given no indication he would carry out military operations inside its neighbor's borders.

The Assad regime, both father and son, maintained a 30-year military occupation of Lebanon.

Donald Trump:

No, no, it's toll-free, period. When it opens permanently, it'll be toll-free.

Liz Landers:

More disputes over the deal involved a passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it plans to charge new fees to ships that enter the strait. There were, of course, no fees or otherwise charged before the war.

Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman (through translator):

We have always said we're not after charging tolls, but in exchange for services we will provide, necessary costs will be outlined and received. So everything is completely clear in this regard.

Whoopi Goldberg, Co-Host, "The View": We are back with Vice President J.D. Vance.

Liz Landers:

Vice President J.D. Vance has been on a media blitz with more than a half-dozen interviews in just two days, not only to sell the deal, but to clarify what's in it, including a possible $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran if they cooperate, which both Vance and President Trump insist the U.S. will not pay for.

J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States: Not a single cent of American money goes to Iran, not $300 billion, not $24 billion, not any of the money, the dollar figures that I have seen floating around. They don't get any of that stuff unless they totally transform themselves as a country. And if they do, that's a huge win for everybody, for the region. If they don't, no skin off our back.

Liz Landers:

President Trump remains in France for the G7 through tomorrow, and many of his discussions have been about putting focus back on Ukraine and pressure back on Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that G7 leaders gave their -- quote -- "unanimous support." And Mr. Trump himself hinted that the U.S. could resume oil sanctions against Russia. But, ultimately, the president downplayed any role that he would play.

Donald Trump:

We were focused on Iran. That will be in the back, in the rearview mirror. But we will be -- I just -- look, we have nothing to do with it. We sell weapons to them. We don't even give them. Yes, I'm going to do whatever I can.

Liz Landers:

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Liz Landers.