U.S.-Iran talks make “good progress” but White House warns military option remains on table
U.S.-Iran talks are making “good progress,” Vice President J.D. Vance said, while Washington says it remains ready to resume military operations if no agreement is reached.
The White House said on Tuesday that U.S.-Iran talks are moving forward but that military action remains a contingency if diplomacy fails. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters that talks have shown “good progress,” while stressing that the administration will continue to prepare other options. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s warning that he was close to ordering new strikes and that Iran had “two or three days” to reach a deal.
White House signals progress in U.S.-Iran talks
Vance made his remarks at a White House press conference, describing the negotiations with Iran as constructive but not concluded. He emphasized that progress has been made while cautioning that an agreement has not yet been finalized.
The vice president framed the diplomatic effort as the preferred route but reiterated that the United States would not refrain from other measures if diplomacy fails. He said the administration would “continue to work” until a clear outcome emerges.
Trump issues tight timeline and warns of strikes
President Trump recently told aides he was prepared to order new strikes against Iran and set a short deadline for a diplomatic settlement. The president’s public remark that Tehran had “two or three days” to reach an agreement injected urgency into the talks.
Administration officials presented the timeline as leverage aimed at accelerating negotiations. Officials emphasize the president’s willingness to use force as a last resort but say he is prepared to do so if the talks collapse.
Vance reiterates nuclear red line and readiness
Vance, who has been critical in the past of military engagements, insisted Iran must accept that it cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. He said the United States remains fully prepared to resume military operations if necessary, framing it as a “second option” should diplomacy fail.
He also said forces remain at a high state of readiness and that the president is “ready and able” to proceed with military measures if warranted. The vice president’s remarks underline a dual-track approach of active diplomacy backed by credible force options.
Recent diplomatic moves including Pakistan visit
The White House noted that a series of diplomatic contacts have taken place in recent weeks as part of efforts to resolve outstanding issues with Tehran. Vance himself led a U.S. delegation to Pakistan in April for talks that did not yield a final agreement, signaling a broader diplomatic push in the region.
U.S. officials say those engagements are part of a coordinated effort to explore third-party venues for dialogue and to test Iranian willingness to compromise. The April trip was described by the vice president as a preparatory step toward more intensive negotiations.
Regional security implications for the Gulf
Gulf states and other regional partners are monitoring the U.S.-Iran talks closely, given the potential security consequences of either a deal or an escalation. Analysts and officials say a breakdown in negotiations could quickly affect maritime security, energy markets, and allied force postures in the region.
Diplomacy that succeeds could ease immediate tensions, while renewed strikes would likely prompt rapid regional responses and heighten the risk of wider confrontation. Governments in the Gulf have repeatedly urged restraint from all parties to avoid spillover effects.
Possible outcomes and next steps in negotiations
U.S. officials describe three possible trajectories: a negotiated agreement, continued stalemate with extended diplomacy, or a return to military operations. The administration says it will continue to engage diplomatically while maintaining military preparedness as a deterrent.
Officials declined to specify exact benchmarks for success, focusing instead on Iran’s willingness to commit to non-proliferation guarantees. The short public timeline set by the president is meant to force a decision but also leaves room for additional diplomatic work if progress is demonstrable.
The coming days will be closely watched in capitals across the Middle East and in Washington, where officials stress that diplomacy remains the first choice while contingency plans are being kept in place.