Trump Sidelines Vance From Ceasefire Diplomacy Toward Tehran
US President Donald Trump on Thursday directed Vice President JD Vance to focus on domestic investigations rather than diplomacy with Iran, and Trump declared the United States no longer requires an agreement with Tehran. Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump instructed Vance to devote his complete attention to investigating alleged Democratic corruption, effectively removing the vice president from leading Iran ceasefire efforts. Vice President JD Vance had previously spearheaded Washington's push to reopen nuclear talks and ease hostilities.
In a social media statement reported by Iran International, Trump said: We don't need a deal with Iran, and added to Salem that Iran's economy was gone and soldiers were unpaid. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing two US officials, Trump privately questioned whether a June memorandum of understanding brokered with Vance's involvement was a costly mistake; those officials said Trump believed the interim accord allowed Iran to regroup and collect oil revenues before Washington imposed its naval blockade. A White House official disputed those claims, insisting negotiators acted in good faith.
On the same day, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Sirik in Hormozgan province was hit in an enemy military attack, without disclosing target details or casualties. Asked by reporters whether he would hesitate to deploy force if Iran threatened US vessels or allies, US President Donald Trump replied plainly that he would show no hesitation. US Central Command dismissed reports that it had warned Israel to prepare for renewed warfare with Iran as mere speculation, Al Jazeera reported.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei stated this week that Iran's nuclear program is not under discussion and insisted not even a particle of enriched uranium would leave the country.
