Vance reaches Iranian hard liner by letter to explore restart of peace talks as Trump weighs strikes

A letter tests diplomatic ground

JD Vance reportedly wrote to a senior Iranian official in an effort to revive peace negotiations. The Wall Street Journal reported that the letter was intended to test whether the two countries could find common ground and persuade Trump against ordering further strikes. One source said Trump had asked Vance to send the letter, but the president denied it on Wednesday. Asked about the claim before traveling to a rally in Ohio, Trump answered, “No.”

Trump weighs military action

Trump has not decided whether to launch new strikes against Iran, diplomats said. The United States has not struck Iran since early September, but threats of renewed attacks and US calls for allies to prepare for possible retaliation have heightened concern about a return to major operations.

Tehran keeps diplomacy open

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X on Wednesday that Tehran was continuing to give diplomacy a chance. He said Iran was working with mediators to review ideas from a proposal put forward last month.

Trump rejected that proposal, but Tehran still wants it to serve as the basis for returning to a ceasefire. The article also says Trump has sought to prevent Iran from gaining access to nuclear weapons, while Iran now has unprecedented influence over the Strait of Hormuz.