US Vice President J.D. Vance said Iran must make a “substantial” reduction in its uranium enrichment capabilities as a condition for ending the standoff between Tehran and Washington, stressing that the United States is seeking concrete action rather than future assurances.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Vance said any agreement would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment capacity rather than simply promise to limit its capabilities at a later stage.
“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, why do you need fuel enriched to 60 percent?” Vance said, arguing that Iran could demonstrate its commitment to not developing a nuclear weapon by ending the production of highly enriched fuel. “I think if they want to demonstrate their commitment not to make a nuclear weapon, they will take concrete steps regarding their enrichment capabilities,” he added.
Vance said the United States remains open to reaching an agreement with Iran, but insisted that any deal must include tangible nuclear concessions. “We will not replace words with deeds,” he said.
The comments came as Iran and the United States have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route. US President Donald Trump has rejected Tehran’s latest offer and warned that military operations could escalate after the November midterm congressional elections.
The conflict has unsettled global energy markets and created a political challenge for Trump and his Republican colleagues ahead of the elections. Vance, who has long expressed skepticism about US involvement in foreign wars, has played a leading role in efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. He brokered a temporary agreement in September, but the arrangement quickly collapsed.
Despite Washington’s continued willingness to negotiate, Vance acknowledged uncertainty over how decisions are being made in Tehran, adding to the difficulty of reaching a durable agreement.
