In an interview on 26/2, US Vice President JD Vance indicated that he was unsure how President Donald Trump would decide on Iran. He outlined possibilities including airstrikes to "ensure Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons," or resolving the issue through diplomatic channels.

However, Vance affirmed that if President Trump were to order an airstrike on Iran, it would not lead Washington into a multi-year war in the Middle East.

"There will be no possibility of us getting bogged down in a multi-year war in the Middle East without a clear exit," Vance said. According to the US Vice President, a hypothetical 2025 airstrike campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities and the 1/2026 raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro both "had very clear objectives."

US Vice President JD Vance in Washington on 10/3/2025. Photo: AP

Elaborating on this view, Vance, 41, stated that he has always been "skeptical of military interventions abroad" and believes President Trump shares this sentiment.

"I think we prefer diplomatic solutions," he said. "But how things unfold depends on Iran's actions and words."

US-Iran negotiations took place on 26/2 in Geneva amidst a large-scale US military buildup around Iran, but the parties have not yet reached an agreement. Mediators stated that talks would resume next week.

President Trump announced on 27/2 that he was "not happy" with the current negotiation process, but would await the results of subsequent rounds of talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program.

"I am not happy with their unwillingness to concede to our demands, but we will wait and discuss this later," Trump told reporters before leaving the White House. "We are not happy with how they are negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons."

Washington seeks to expand the scope of negotiations to non-nuclear issues such as Tehran's missile arsenal. Iran, meanwhile, is only willing to discuss limiting its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, refusing to completely halt uranium enrichment or negotiate on missiles.

President Trump claimed on 25/2 that Iran "is developing missiles with the range to reach the US." Iran denies this accusation, repeatedly asserting that its missile program is solely for self-defense and emphasizing its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.

Positions of US warships and bases in the Middle East. Graphic: Washington Post

Recent tensions have continuously escalated, with Trump repeatedly threatening military action if talks fail. Iran has warned it would strike US bases in the Middle East, including those in Israel, in retaliation. Many countries have advised their citizens and diplomatic staff to evacuate the region.