US Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged deep mistrust between the United States and Iran but expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations.
Vance emphasized that US policy, set by Donald Trump, is clear: Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
He said Washington is ensuring during negotiations that this objective is achieved, adding that the US president does not want a “small or partial deal” but a comprehensive agreement.
According to Vance, the absence of a deal so far reflects this insistence on a broader and more complete framework.
Economic integration for Iran
The US has offered significant incentives if Iran agrees not to pursue nuclear weapons. Vance said Washington is prepared to help make Iran economically prosperous and integrate it into the global economy.
“This offer has not been made in my entire life,” he noted, highlighting the scale of the proposal.
Vance described the current negotiations as unprecedented, saying the US has not engaged with Iran at this level in 49 years.
He pointed out that never before has an Iranian leader sat face-to-face with a US vice president, underlining the significance of the ongoing dialogue.
Mistrust remains major challenge
Despite progress, Vance acknowledged that decades of mistrust between Washington and Tehran cannot be resolved quickly.
“There is a lot of mistrust between Iran and the United States, and you are not going to solve that problem overnight,” he said during a Turning Point USA event.
Vance said Iranian negotiators appear willing to reach an agreement, adding that both sides are engaging in good faith as directed by President Trump.
“I feel very good about where we are,” he said, signaling cautious optimism about the direction of talks.
Talks may resume in Pakistan
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place, with about one week still left.
President Trump indicated that talks to end the war could resume in Pakistan within the next two days, following the collapse of earlier negotiations in Islamabad that led to a US blockade of Iranian ports.
Vance himself had participated in those recent talks held in Pakistan.
The conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.
Subsequent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli operations in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Outlook remains uncertain
While both sides appear willing to negotiate, significant hurdles remain, particularly around trust and the scope of any agreement.
However, with a ceasefire still holding and diplomatic channels open, the coming days, especially potential talks in Pakistan, could prove critical in shaping the future of the conflict.
.jpg)
