In a recent interview with Reuters, Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran needs to make a “meaningful” cut to its nuclear enrichment capabilities to meet US expectations and help resolve the ongoing seven-month conflict. He mentioned the US’s difficulty in understanding how Tehran approaches negotiations.
Vance, known for his skepticism about US military involvement overseas, has been at the forefront of negotiations aimed at settling the conflict. He previously facilitated a temporary peace agreement in June, which unfortunately did not last.
The war has significantly impacted global energy markets and has become a political challenge for President Donald Trump and his Republican allies as the midterm elections in November draw closer.
After returning from a campaign trip in Alaska, Vance asserted that any potential agreement must include a reduction in Iran’s nuclear enrichment, rather than mere promises of future reductions.
“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to demonstrate commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel. That’s really a fundamental issue,” Vance explained.
He added, “I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity.”
In recent weeks, Iran and the US have been exchanging proposals aimed at concluding the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy shipping lane. However, Trump has turned down Iran’s latest proposal, cautioning that military actions might escalate after the midterms.
Vance emphasized that the US is open to an agreement, but it needs tangible concessions related to Iran’s nuclear program. “We’re not going to trade words for actions,” he stated.
UNCLEAR HOW IRAN MAKES DECISIONS: VANCE
Vance also noted the uncertainty concerning who truly makes decisions within Iran’s government. He indicated that the US is in dialogue with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but their actual influence in the Iranian power structure remains unclear, particularly after significant US-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the war’s outset.
“One of the things we’ve picked up on is that it’s not completely clear how their country makes decisions,” Vance remarked. Separate from this, Trump expressed on Tuesday that his major issue is the ambiguity surrounding Iran’s leadership.
In response, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson asserted that US officials are well aware of who their Iranian counterparts are and how Iran’s decision-making operates. They argued that the real issue lies in the mixed messages and contradictory positions from US officials.
Vance mentioned that he has had direct conversations with field commanders to better understand the conditions on the battlefield. He downplayed worries about a shortage of crucial munitions, stating that while Iranian forces sometimes strike commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, they have largely been unsuccessful at impeding energy exports through that route.
Although Vance refrained from claiming he is leading peace talks, he is frequently recognized as a primary negotiator for the White House. “We’re certainly involved,” he said, adding, “Ultimately, the president of the United States is driving things.”
The war, with its hefty $3 billion monthly cost, has become a significant talking point during the campaign. The rising energy prices have put pressure on Trump and Republicans in key states as they aim to retain control of Congress.
Vance has tried to alleviate criticism surrounding Trump’s handling of the conflict, encouraging voters not to let that issue deter them from supporting Republicans in the upcoming elections.
During his campaign rally in Alaska, Vance supported Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is in a close reelection race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. Despite Trump winning Alaska by a substantial margin in 2024, the current economic challenges have made the state more competitive.
Vance’s speech heavily focused on affordability issues, especially concerning energy. The geographic isolation of Alaska leads to higher consumer prices, making energy production a critical sector.
Audience members erupted in cheers when Sullivan nearly referred to Vance as the president instead of vice president. Many see Vance as a leading Republican candidate for the presidency in 2028.
In a discussion with Reuters afterward, Vance indicated he has not made any decisions about running for president in 2028. “I’m inherently a procrastinator,” he admitted. “I really haven’t thought about it much.”
