Iranian authorities must substantially reduce their uranium enrichment capabilities to bring an end to the conflict with the United States, according to US Vice President JD Vance.
Vance made the statement during an interview with Reuters, detailing Washington’s expectations for any diplomatic resolution.
Uranium Enrichment and Nuclear Ambitions
Vance stressed that Tehran must demonstrate its intention to forgo nuclear weapons through tangible steps rather than verbal assurances:
“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need fuel enriched up to 60 percent? If you want to demonstrate an intention not to build a nuclear weapon, don’t produce highly enriched fuel. That is a very important and fundamental point in ending the conflict,” Vance said.
He noted that while the United States remains open to reaching an agreement, Washington will demand concrete concessions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. “We are not going to trade words for actions,” the Vice President emphasized.
Uncertainty Over Decision-Making in Tehran
According to Vance, one of the factors complicating diplomatic efforts is Washington’s uncertainty regarding who holds ultimate decision-making authority in Tehran.
He noted that while the US is engaging with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, it remains unclear how much influence they wield within the broader Iranian leadership structure.
“One of the things we look at is that it’s not entirely clear how decisions are made in their country,” Vance added.
