Asked by the BBC if President Donald Trump was close to signing a deal, Vance said it was too early to say "when or if" the two sides would finalize an agreement. Earlier on Thursday, US officials told the BBC the two countries had agreed a framework of a deal - known as a memorandum of understanding - pending the approval of Trump and Iran's leadership. It would reportedly extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on the future of Iran's nuclear programme. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported it had not been finalised or confirmed. According to reports, the framework could allow "unrestricted" passage through the Strait of Hormuz and give Iran 30 days to remove mines from the narrow shipping passageway. The US would also lift its blockade, and issue sanction waivers to allow Iran to resume selling oil. Axios, which first reported a tentative agreement between the US and Iran on Thursday, said Trump had been briefed on the proposal but did not immediately sign off on it and would take a couple of days to consider it. One-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas and oil normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has impacted global fuel trade. (BBC)