Vance: Iran Must Reduce Uranium Enrichment Capabilities to End the War

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J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, said in an exclusive interview with Reuters that Iran must make a "substantial" reduction in its uranium enrichment capabilities to meet U.S. demands and end the ongoing war between the two countries for more than seven months, even as Washington remains uncertain about how Tehran makes its decisions in negotiations. After long being skeptical of U.S. intervention in foreign wars, Vance played a leading role in negotiating a resolution to the conflict and mediated a temporary agreement in September that quickly collapsed.

The war has shaken global energy markets and has become a political burden for U.S. President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Vance said on Monday after a campaign tour in Alaska that any agreement would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment capacity, not just provide assurances of reducing its nuclear capabilities in the future. He added, "If you don't want a nuclear weapon, why do you need fuel enriched to 60 percent? And if you want to show commitment to not manufacturing a nuclear weapon, don't produce highly enriched fuel. This is a very fundamental issue." He said, "I believe that if they want to show their commitment to not making a nuclear weapon, they will take concrete actions regarding their enrichment capabilities."

Regarding his candidacy for the presidency in 2028 for the Republican Party, Vance said he has not yet decided whether he will run for president or not. Iran and the United States have exchanged proposals in the past few weeks aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor for energy on a global level.

Trump rejected Tehran's latest offer and warned that military operations could escalate after the midterm elections. Vance mentioned that the United States remains open to reaching an agreement, but it will require tangible Iranian nuclear concessions. He said, "We will not substitute words for actions."