Letter to Senior Iranian Official Shows Vance Engaged Iran to Revive Peace Talks

A letter tests possible common ground

JD Vance reportedly wrote to a senior Iranian official in an effort to restart peace negotiations, days after Trump threatened Tehran with another campaign of strikes. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vance’s letter explored whether the two countries could find enough shared ground to dissuade Trump from ordering new attacks.

A source said Trump requested the letter, but the president denied it on Wednesday. Asked about the matter before traveling to a rally in Ohio, Trump replied, “No,” according to the report.

Trump weighs further strikes

Trump has not made a final decision about new strikes against Iran, diplomats said. The United States has not attacked Iran since early September, but renewed threats and US calls for allies to prepare for possible retaliation have raised concerns about a return to major operations. Speaking to Fox News, Trump framed his choice as whether to reach an agreement or “finish them off.” The situation has also grown more volatile amid an escalation of Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia.

Tehran says diplomacy remains possible

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X on Wednesday that Tehran “continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed.” He said Iran was working with mediators to review ideas from a proposal it put forward last month. Trump rejected that proposal, but Iran still wants it to serve as a basis for returning to a ceasefire. The dispute comes as Trump has sought to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Iran has gained unprecedented influence over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s popularity is also waning at home ahead of the midterm elections.