Vice President J.D. Vance has called for a concrete reduction in Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity as a prerequisite for a peace deal with the United States, arguing that a commitment to denuclearization must be demonstrated through action rather than promises.
During a campaign stop in Alaska on Monday, Vance questioned the need for 60% enriched fuel, saying, ‘If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?’ He added that any sign of Iran’s commitment should involve meaningful cuts to its enrichment program.
The United States and Iran have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the seven‑month conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal and warned that military operations could intensify after the November mid‑term elections. Vance said, ‘We’re not going to trade words for actions.’
Vance noted that negotiations have been complicated by uncertainty over Iran’s leadership following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.–Israeli strikes that marked the start of the war. He questioned the authority of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, saying, ‘It’s not totally clear how their country makes decisions.’ Trump echoed this uncertainty, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the claim, accusing Washington of contradictory positions and mixed messaging.
Vance said he has spoken directly with U.S. military commanders and downplayed concerns about depleted ammunition stocks, noting that Iranian forces have occasionally struck commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz but have not halted energy shipments through the waterway. He clarified that while he is involved in the administration’s peace efforts, the president ultimately drives the process. The war, costing roughly $3 billion a month, has become a growing political issue ahead of the mid‑terms, as higher fuel prices pressure President Trump and Republicans. Vance was campaigning in Alaska with Senator Dan Sullivan, who faces Democrat Mary Peltola in November, and said he had not decided whether to run for president in 2028.
