JD Vance says US-Iran talks are making "excellent" progress

• US VP said discussions cover maritime safety, shipping, and initial nuclear issues, with Qatar and Pakistan mediating.
• Vance said the administration sees momentum for diplomacy and improved bilateral relations.
• He warned any Iranian move to rebuild its nuclear program or target commercial shipping would trigger a US response.

US Vice President JD Vance expressed strong optimism on Wednesday regarding the trajectory of ongoing indirect technical negotiations with Iran in Doha, revealing that Washington sees significant momentum among certain factions within the Iranian regime who are eager to change their bilateral relationship with the United States.

Vance confirmed that technical delegations are actively meeting in the Qatari capital alongside Qatari, Pakistani, and other international intermediaries to work through complex ground-level details.

Positive track 

The US Vice President emphasized that the ongoing sessions are built directly upon the foundation of the preliminary bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations on June 17, which halted a brief maritime conflict in the Persian Gulf.

Vance detailed that the current discussions are primarily focused on ironclad security details, specifically governing the flow of international navigation and commercial maritime traffic through critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.

The negotiations regarding Iran have proceeded in an excellent direction, and we are working to ensure the continuity of the progress we have achieved, Vance said.

"President Trump's directives are clear: move forward to conclude an agreement and negotiate in good faith. The talks are going well, and we will give negotiation every chance to succeed." Vance added

Pragmatism in Tehran

In a notable shift in tone, Vance acknowledged the shifting internal dynamics within Tehran's political leadership.

He stated that the administration has detected a desire from specific elements within the Iranian political structure to break away from decades of isolation and economic devastation.

The Iranian regime includes individuals who understand that they need to change their relations with us, Vance explained. We see great momentum from people within the Iranian system who are seeking to open a new page, and that is why we will grant these negotiations a greater opportunity.

However, the US Vice President balanced his optimism with strict security warnings.

He noted that while early-stage talks have begun touching upon the sensitive nuclear portfolio, Washington’s baseline calculations remain highly contingent on Iranian behavior on the water and in their laboratories.

Vance concluded with a firm warning to his counterparts, stating that if Iran attempts to reconstruct its enriched uranium stockpiles or resumes targeting commercial cargo vessels, the United States will immediately alter its calculations and terminate the current diplomatic runway.