US Vice President says diplomacy is on track but warns military action remains an option if Tehran revives its nuclear programme….reports Asian Lite News Desk
US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday said negotiations with Iran in Doha were “going well” but warned that President Donald Trump would not hesitate to use military force again if Tehran resumed its nuclear programme or threatened commercial shipping.
Speaking to reporters before departing from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia aboard Air Force Two, Vance said US, Iranian, Qatari and other negotiators were discussing the next steps following recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
“Right now the negotiators are sitting down with the Iranians, with the Qataris and with others in Doha. Right now the talks are going well. It’s still pretty early, but talks are going well,” he said.
Vance said ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping remained the immediate priority, noting that stability in the region had already begun to influence global energy markets.
“Commercial traffic really does… It’s already started in an amazing direction. We’ve got now oil at $68. We’ve got gas prices starting to come down. We’re worried about the nuclear issue. We’re going to start talking about that,” he said.
While stressing that the Trump administration was committed to diplomacy, Vance made it clear that military action remained an option if Iran reversed course.
“What I can commit to is the President’s not going to send our military back in unless he has to, unless there’s a clearly defined purpose for it,” he said.
“If they try to rebuild their nuclear programme, if they try to start shooting at commercial vessels again, that’s going to change our calculus.”
Vance said President Trump had directed his team to negotiate “in good faith” while operating from what he described as a position of strength.
“What the President has said is go and make a deal, go and negotiate in good faith, and that’s what he’s empowered us to do,” he added.
Commenting on Iran’s internal political dynamics, Vance said there appeared to be growing support within the country’s leadership for improving ties with the United States, Europe and Gulf Arab nations.
“In the Iranian system, like a lot of places, you’ve got people who actually recognise the last 47 years of their government has been a mistake and that they need to change their relationship with the United States, with Europe, with the Gulf Arab countries,” he said.
“And then you’ve got a few people who are still kind of attached to the old ways.”
He said Washington believed there was “a lot of momentum” among those seeking a new direction and would continue giving diplomacy “as much of a chance to succeed as possible.”
However, he reiterated that any attempt by Iran to restart its nuclear programme, block international inspections or target commercial shipping would prompt a different US response.
“If they try to rebuild that nuclear programme, if they refuse to let inspections in, if they resume shooting at commercial vessels, then obviously, the President still has a lot of options on the table,” Vance said.
The Doha talks come after recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites ordered by President Trump following heightened tensions in the Gulf. Qatar has since been playing a key mediating role as Washington and Tehran seek to ease tensions through diplomacy.
The negotiations are also part of broader international efforts to restore maritime security in the Gulf and prevent further escalation over Iran’s nuclear programme, with Washington maintaining that diplomacy remains its preferred path while keeping military options open.
