The key facts

  • Vance reported progress in talks with Iran and readiness to continue working
  • No deadlines have been set before a possible resumption of strikes
  • The conflict is in its ninth month; a memorandum was signed in June, but disagreements persist

What Vance said

US Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters on Monday that Washington had 'made progress' in talks with Iran and that he and President Donald Trump 'feel pretty good' about the prospects of a negotiated settlement. According to him, about an hour earlier he had discussed the matter with the president. 'We will keep working on this,' Vance said, adding that the Iranians are 'always a bit unpredictable,' while Trump retains both kinetic and non-kinetic options.

Conditions and the absence of deadlines

Asked whether a deadline had been set for Iran before strikes resume, Vance answered no: 'No, we have not set any deadlines.' He named the key priority for the US as preventing the rebuilding of the nuclear program which, in his words, the US 'destroyed.' According to him, a path to a settlement exists, but it requires a 'firm and verifiable commitment' not to restore that program.

Trump's statement and the context of the conflict

Vance's remarks came hours after Trump, at a ceremony reopening the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, said that Iran wants to strike a deal to end the conflict, now in its ninth month. 'They want to make a deal, and it could happen,' Trump said, adding that Iran had asked Washington to stop strikes on its leaders, 'and we will do that.' According to the Anadolu agency, tensions in the Middle East have persisted since February 28, when the US and Israel struck Iran, prompting Tehran's retaliatory actions in the region. Despite subsequent diplomatic efforts and a memorandum signed by Washington and Tehran in June, disagreements remain over security issues and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.