The key facts
- Trump confirmed approving Vance's contact with Tehran but denied instructing him to resume talks
- WSJ reported the letter was sent to Mohsen Rezaei to revive peace talks
- The US–Iran war is in its eighth month; mediators are Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey
Vance's letter and Trump's position
US President Donald Trump confirmed that Vice President JD Vance sent an appeal to the Iranian authorities, but described it as a matter of medical supplies. According to The Wall Street Journal, cited by The National, Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an attempt to revive peace talks, and Trump himself instructed the vice president to send the letter — citing American officials.
Diverging interpretations
Asked by journalists whether he had instructed Vance to restart peace talks, Trump said no, although he acknowledged that he had approved the contact with Tehran.
Context: war and diplomacy
The appeal comes amid fears that the US–Iran war, now in its eighth month, could resume — possibly after next week's US midterm elections. Mediators from Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are trying to bring the parties' positions closer together. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is discussing with the mediators its seven-day plan to open the Strait of Hormuz, presented in September; Trump rejected it, after which Qatari mediation followed.
The situation in the strait and Yemen
Attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continue: UKMTO reported a burning vessel about 16 km north of Hasab in Oman, while the IRGC said that within 24 hours three tankers struck naval mines while traveling an unauthorized route with their transponders switched off. Oil prices fell on Thursday on reports of new diplomatic efforts. A separate track involves Turkey: according to Erdogan's office, he told Trump by phone that Ankara is working on a settlement in the strait and in Yemen within the framework of a defense alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan; the Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward the Eastern Province.
