Vance said on Tuesday that Washington was open to negotiation but would not accept promises, insisting that any settlement would require tangible steps from Tehran.
In his remarks, Vance singled out 60% enriched fuel, asking why Iran would keep such fuel if it did not intend to build a nuclear weapon.
Baghaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, countered that U.S. officials understand Iran’s decision‑making and blamed Washington for contradictory messaging.
The war’s toll—about $3 billion a month, per the Congressional Budget Office—has become a political liability for the Trump administration and Republicans ahead of the November midterms.
Vance has used the crisis to defend President Trump on the campaign trail, urging voters not to let the conflict sway their vote.