Vance: US will act militarily if Iran nuclear talks fail

US Vice President JD Vance reiterated at a White House briefing on Tuesday that the Trump administration remains firm in demanding that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, while acknowledging that significant progress has been made in ongoing negotiations with Tehran. Vance stated that both the United States and Iran appear to want a deal, describing the current situation as a "pretty good spot" in the talks. However, he emphasized that the US is prepared to resume its military campaign if diplomacy fails, declaring that Washington remains "locked and loaded" to achieve its objectives. Vance described Iran as a "fractured" country with divided leadership, making it difficult to determine Tehran's exact negotiating position. He warned that allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons would trigger a global arms race, with countries across the Gulf region and beyond seeking their own nuclear capabilities. "Iran would really be the first domino in what would set off a nuclear arms race all over the world," Vance said. The vice president also stressed that the US is seeking long-term guarantees preventing Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities, not merely temporary commitments during President Trump's term in office. President Donald Trump had previously announced he was holding off scheduled attacks on Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose leaders assured him that serious talks were underway and a deal would be made. Trump indicated he might wait two to three days before renewing military action against Iran, while instructing the military to remain fully prepared for a potential full-scale offensive if negotiations collapse. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies, is a key factor driving pressure for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.