Vance says Iran must curb uranium enrichment to end war

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has said Iran must make a significant reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity if it wants to reach an agreement with Washington and end the ongoing war.

In an interview, Vance said the United States was seeking concrete steps rather than promises from Tehran. He questioned why Iran would continue enriching uranium to 60 per cent if it did not intend to develop nuclear weapons.

Vance said any agreement would require Iran to demonstrate a meaningful commitment by reducing its enrichment capabilities. He added that the United States would remain open to a deal if Tehran provided concrete assurances that its nuclear programme would not be rebuilt.

The United States and Iran have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy shipments. However, Washington has rejected Tehran’s latest proposal, while US President Donald Trump has warned that military operations could intensify after the upcoming midterm elections.

Vance said Washington was also facing uncertainty over Iran’s decision-making process. He said US officials had been communicating with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi but were unsure about the extent of their authority.

He said the uncertainty had complicated negotiations following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes at the beginning of the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the suggestion that Washington was unclear about Iran’s political system. He said the main problem was contradictory statements and mixed messaging from US officials.

Vance also said he had spoken directly with military commanders to assess conditions on the battlefield. He dismissed concerns about critical ammunition shortages and said Iranian forces could periodically target commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz but were largely unable to stop energy exports through the waterway.

The vice president declined to confirm whether he was personally leading the peace negotiations, saying the United States was involved but that the president was ultimately directing the process.

The conflict has also created economic and political pressure in the United States. Vance said the war was costing about $3 billion a month, while higher energy prices have become a major concern for voters ahead of next month’s congressional elections.

During a campaign appearance in Alaska, Vance focused on rising living costs and energy prices while campaigning alongside Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking re-election.

Vance is also regarded as a potential Republican presidential contender for 2028. Asked whether he planned to seek the presidency, he said he had not made a decision and had given the matter little thought so far.