Vice President JD Vance on Monday outlined how the U.S. would verify Iran’s compliance under a potential nuclear agreement, arguing that a stringent inspection regime would distinguish it from the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“If you go back to the original Obama JCPOA, there were a couple of big problems with it,” Vance said during an appearance on “Hannity.”

“The Gulf Arabs hated the Obama deal. Why? Because they thought that it empowered the Iranians to be a malign actor,” Vance said. “It actually enriched the Iranians while they were misbehaving.”

By contrast, Vance said regional allies support the current framework because they believe it could help reshape the Middle East.

“This deal the Gulf Arabs love, because they know that this is the kind of deal that could fundamentally transform the Middle East,” he said.

Vance also criticized the JCPOA’s inspection provisions, arguing oversight of Iran’s nuclear program was insufficient.

“There was a little bit there, but it was basically nonexistent,” he said.

“This goes back to our fundamental principle here, that if they show verifiable commitment — and that means a real inspection regime — then they can get the benefits of the bargain,” he said.

Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the ball was in Tehran’s court ahead of signing a new Memorandum of Understanding set for Friday.

Speaking on “Hannity,” Vance said Iran would determine the next phase of relations between the two countries.

“It’s fundamentally the ball is in the Iranians’ court, Sean, because we’re better off regardless,” Vance said.

“Their nuclear program is destroyed, whatever route they choose. The Strait of Hormuz is open, whatever route they choose. Their conventional military is destroyed, whatever route they choose,” he added.

“This gives the Iranians optionality to either become a normal country or not, but the United States is in a much better position, regardless of what they choose.”

Vance also described what he said was an unprecedented level of communication between Washington and Tehran.

“We’ve never had this level of direct communication with the Iranian leadership,” he said.

“Of course, the previous generations of Iranian leadership are gone, thanks to what’s happened over the last few.”

“What’s fascinating to me about their system is that we’re seeing even people that I would have assumed are hardliners who are kind of saying, you know, what, maybe it was a mistake for us to do the things that we’ve done over the last 40 years,” he said.

“Maybe we should turn over a new leaf in the relationship with the United States of America,” he added before emphasizing that the administration remains cautious.

“We do verify, and we do extend this hand and say, ‘Look, if you guys are willing to change, we’re willing to change how we’ve dealt with you too,’” Vance added