Iran could gain access to as much as $300 billion in reconstruction-related investments from Gulf nations under a newly signed memorandum of understanding with the United States, according to comments made Monday by Vice President JD Vance, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
The agreement, which was electronically signed on Sunday, has not yet been publicly released. Administration officials say any economic benefits for Tehran would be conditioned on significant changes in behavior, including ending its nuclear program and complying with international inspections.
Speaking with CBS News, Vance addressed reports that the agreement includes a reconstruction initiative worth up to $300 billion.
“That’s the sort of thing they could have access to, funded by the Gulf Coast Coalition, so long as they honor their end of the obligation,” Vance said.
Administration officials emphasized that the proposed investments would not involve American taxpayer funds. Vance reiterated that point during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
“The Iranians don’t get a dime unless they behave and change their behavior” and will “never get a dime of American taxpayer money. Ever. Full stop. Not even close.”
According to Vance, Iran would only become eligible for investment if it permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions and complies with a strict monitoring system.
“We absolutely are open to the Gulf Coast countries investing in the reconstruction of Iran, but only if Iran ends their nuclear program, ends their enriched stockpile of material, and is really open to an inspections and enforcement regime that gives the American people confidence they’re never going to have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.
The proposal has generated skepticism among some Republicans, largely because the text of the agreement remains unavailable to lawmakers and the public.
Lindsey Graham criticized reports of a reconstruction fund last week, writing on X that the “idea of a $300 billion reconstruction fund, given who is in charge of Iran, seems to be tone deaf.
It would be akin to a Marshall Plan for Germany with the Nazis still in charge.”
By Monday, Graham said he expected the Trump administration to release the agreement’s text and stated that if the memorandum contains the provisions described by administration officials, “the proposal as envisioned by the Vice President and the Trump Administration to end the Iranian conflict would be transformative for the region and a major achievement, leading to broader peace.”
The agreement follows more than three months of conflict that began when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on Feb. 28.
During the conflict, Iran launched strikes against regional countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, all of which host American military facilities.
Administration officials said the memorandum is designed to restore conditions that existed before the conflict, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the U.S. naval blockade.
More detailed negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear activities would occur later.
Senior U.S. officials also outlined broader economic incentives available to Tehran if it complies with future requirements.
“The more they behave like a normal country, the more that they show they’re willing to be a good partner, then we’re going to be willing to be extraordinarily generous in opening up their economy and opening up the sanctions relief that the deal contemplates,” one official said.
Officials said Iran could receive phased sanctions relief, access to frozen assets, and eventual reintegration into the global economy.
In exchange, Tehran would be expected to meet denuclearization benchmarks and could potentially end support for proxy organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
The administration also confirmed that the reconstruction initiative would consist of investment projects rather than direct cash transfers.
Gulf nations would provide capital through infrastructure and development investments if Iran becomes a viable destination for those projects.
“That only happens if they make themselves investable, when they make themselves a country where you can really see that there’s not going to be snapback [sanctions for] pursuing a nuclear weapon or playing these games in the shadows,” a senior official said.
Administration officials acknowledged that misinformation surrounding the still-unreleased agreement has fueled speculation about its contents.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there,” one official said.
The White House has indicated that the memorandum’s text is expected to be released by Friday. Officials also said technical discussions with Iranian representatives are scheduled to begin later this week.
The agreement also contemplates a gradual lifting of the U.S. blockade currently affecting Iranian trade. In exchange, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without imposing transit tolls.
Officials cautioned that commercial traffic through the strait could take weeks to return to normal levels as shipping companies and crews evaluate regional stability following the conflict.