The U.S. vice president told Reuters Washington wants concrete steps from Tehran to scale back nuclear enrichment as the sides discuss ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said any agreement to end the war with Iran must include a meaningful reduction in the country’s uranium-enrichment capacity. In an interview with Reuters, he said Washington expects concrete steps rather than promises of future limits.
Vance pointed to Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60% and said Tehran should demonstrate it does not intend to build a nuclear weapon by reducing its capacity. The United States remains open to a deal, he said, but would not trade actions for words. Iran and the United States have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the seven-month conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance said Washington is unsure who ultimately makes decisions in Tehran. The United States is speaking with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but Vance said their authority within Iran’s power structure is unclear. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei countered that the problem was contradictory statements from U.S. officials.
The conflict and higher energy prices have become political issues ahead of November’s congressional elections. Vance made the remarks after campaigning in Alaska for Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking re-election. He also said he had not decided whether to run for president in 2028.