Budapest: US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday struck a balance between diplomacy and deterrence, saying a comprehensive agreement with Iran remains possible while warning that President Donald Trump is “not one to mess around.”
Speaking during his visit to Hungary, Vance suggested that easing tensions in the Middle East would depend on Iran’s willingness to engage constructively with Washington. “If the Iranians are willing, in good faith, to work with us, I think we can make an agreement,” he said.
However, he paired the outreach with a firm caution, emphasising Trump’s impatience for results. “They’re going to find out that the President of the United States is not one to mess around. He’s impatient. He’s impatient to make progress,” Vance added.
Highlighting the administration’s approach, Vance said the push for a negotiated settlement is being driven directly by the White House. “The President of the United States has told me, and he’s told the entire negotiating team… go and work in good faith to come to an agreement. That is what he has told us to do,” he said.
The remarks come after Trump announced a 14-day cessation of hostilities, conditional on Iran ensuring a “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The proposal is currently being facilitated through mediation efforts involving Pakistan.
In a post outlining the terms, Trump said the suspension of military action would depend on Tehran agreeing to the conditions. He also indicated that a 10-point proposal received from Iran could serve as a “workable basis” for negotiations.
