Vance writes to Iran's security chief as US weighs new strikes after midterms

US Vice President JD Vance has sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to revive talks between Washington and Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

According to the reports, the outreach aims to find out whether there is enough common ground to persuade President Donald Trump to hold off on a "short but intense" military campaign against Iran in the coming weeks. The Journal said the contacts focused on a framework for possible negotiations rather than a detailed agreement. Axios reported that Vance stressed any talks must address Iran's nuclear programme.

Conflicting accounts

The Journal said Vance acted at Trump's direction, while Axios, citing a US official, said Vance proposed the letter and Trump welcomed it. Trump himself denied directing peace negotiations and said the contact was mainly about helping Iran with medical supplies.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on X that Iran's armed forces are ready to defend the country but that Tehran is still giving diplomacy a chance. He said Iran is in close contact with mediators on its "seven-day plan." Iran's parliament speaker has said progress depends on seven conditions, including lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports.

Background

The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February 2026. Restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have since disrupted energy supplies from the Gulf and kept oil prices high. The Journal reported that Washington has told several Gulf Arab states to prepare for a possible new campaign after the US midterm elections on November 3. Trump has not made a final decision, according to people briefed on the discussions.