Washington: US Vice President JD Vance has reportedly sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei in an attempt to revive diplomatic contacts, even as President Donald Trump weighs possible renewed military action against Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The letter, reportedly sent at Trump’s direction, sought to determine whether Washington and Tehran could agree on a framework for restarting negotiations, the report said, citing US officials and people familiar with the matter.
Rezaei, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, has reportedly maintained that Iran would not negotiate until its core demands are met.
Trump, however, denied instructing Vance to initiate peace negotiations, telling reporters that the engagement concerned medical supplies for Iran.
The reported diplomatic outreach comes amid discussions about a possible short but intense US military campaign against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections. No final decision on renewed strikes has been reported.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would continue communicating through intermediaries while keeping its armed forces prepared to defend the country.
Iran had previously proposed a seven-day plan through Qatar, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations in exchange for sanctions relief, the lifting of the US naval blockade and a ceasefire that included Lebanon. Trump rejected the proposal.
Earlier mediation efforts involving Qatar and Pakistan have also failed to bridge differences over Iran’s nuclear program, maritime security and the terms for ending hostilities. No comprehensive agreement has been reached.
