Vance reaches out to Iran hard-liner amid Trump's strike threat: Report

The letter, sent at Trump's direction, was intended to assess whether the two sides could agree on a framework for restarting negotiations, the newspaper reported, citing US officials and people familiar with the matter.US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. (Reuters)US Vice President JD Vance has written to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei in an attempt to reopen diplomatic channels with Tehran, even as President Donald Trump weighs a possible new military offensive against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.The letter, sent at Trump's direction, was intended to assess whether the two sides could agree on a framework for restarting negotiations, the newspaper reported, citing US officials and people familiar with the matter. The communication and subsequent exchanges have focused on creating conditions for talks rather than laying out the terms of a comprehensive peace agreement.Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is among the country's prominent hard-liners. He said last week that Tehran would not negotiate with Washington until its core demands were met.The diplomatic outreach comes amid concerns that the conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, could escalate again in the coming weeks. TRUMP DENIES ORDERING PEACE OUTREACHTrump has denied instructing Vance to initiate peace negotiations with Iran, offering a different explanation for the vice president's engagement.“No. Iran needs help with medical supplies. Basically, it’s getting supplies in to help people that are not well,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews when asked whether he had directed Vance to begin peace talks. The remarks came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Vance had contacted Rezaei on Trump's instructions. The newspaper said Trump was aware of the initiative.Despite the renewed contact, there is no indication that Washington and Tehran have reached an agreement on a detailed proposal to end hostilities.US WEIGHS MILITARY CAMPAIGNThe diplomatic effort is unfolding as the Trump administration considers another round of attacks on Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections.The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington had told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible “short, intense military campaign” against Iran. Trump has not made a final decision, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by the newspaper.The potential for renewed strikes adds urgency to efforts to find a diplomatic way forward after months of stalled negotiations and heightened regional tensions.IRAN SAYS IT IS OPEN TO DIPLOMACYIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran will remain in contact with intermediaries to explore diplomatic options, while keeping its armed forces ready to defend the country.“While our brave armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country, Iran remains committed to giving diplomacy a chance to succeed,” Araghchi said in a statement.He added: “We will continue our close and continuous communication with intermediaries to explore ideas that could implement the seven-day plan, even within a period of less than a week.”Iran proposed the seven-day plan last month through Qatar. It offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations within a week, provided the United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waived sanctions on Iranian oil sales and agreed to a ceasefire that included Lebanon.Trump rejected the proposal, leaving the diplomatic process stalled as both sides maintain their opposing positions.- Ends