Vice President JD Vance acknowledged on Wednesday that the recent two-week ceasefire represents a “fragile truce,” attributing this to the “dishonest” behavior of Iranian leaders. Meanwhile, President Trump is eager to secure a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Speaking at an event in Hungary, Vance emphasized that a lasting agreement is within reach if Iran engages in sincere negotiations. He highlighted that President Trump has already directed his team to engage with Iranian counterparts “in good faith.”
“The president has instructed us to approach the negotiating table. However, if Iran does not reciprocate, they will quickly learn that the President of the United States is not one to be trifled with,” Vance stated.
“He is eager to make headway. He has mandated us to negotiate earnestly, and I believe that if they reciprocate sincerely, a deal can be struck. But that’s a significant ‘if,’ and ultimately, it hinges on how the Iranians choose to negotiate. I hope they make the right choice,” he added.
Vance warned that within Iran, the deal reached with the US is being distorted, referring to it as a “fragile truce.”
“There are individuals who are misrepresenting even the delicate truce we have established,” Vance remarked, addressing the skewed portrayal of negotiations in Iran.
He didn’t elaborate further beyond saying the agreement included a cease-fire, plans to negotiate and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He cautioned, too, that some parts of the Iranian system were approaching the talks constructively, but others were not.
It comes after Trump revealed late Tuesday that the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week cease-fire brokered by Pakistan.
The deal was reached just two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the blockaded Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its “whole civilization.”
Vance said the US was prepared to use “extraordinary economic leverage” to reach the deal, but Trump had instructed his negotiating team “not to use those tools.”
With Post wires
