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US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press conference in the White House in Washington, on May 19, 2026. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Vice President JD Vance stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump instructed the American negotiating team to “aggressively negotiate with the Iranians,” adding that while significant progress has been made, a return to the military campaign remains an option.
"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Vance reiterated to reporters at the White House, adding that "the president has told us to aggressively negotiate with the Iranians," noting that significant progress has been made and that "the Iranians want to make a deal."
He added that while "we’re in a very good spot here, there is an option B," referring to restarting the military campaign to achieve its objectives.
"We have an opportunity here to reset the relationship that has existed between Iran and the United States for 47 years, that's what the president has asked us to do and that's what we're going to keep working at," Vance stated.
The remarks come after President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he was “an hour away from making the decision [to strike Iran] to go today,” warning that he could make the decision again within “two or three days - maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, something, maybe early next week - a limited period of time” if a deal does not materialize.
Trump on Monday said he would “hold off” on attacking Iran the following day at the request of three Gulf state leaders: the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud; and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president added that the decision came as “serious negotiations are now taking place” and that, in the Arab leaders' view, a deal would be reached that would be "very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all countries in the Middle East and beyond."
Nonetheless, Trump noted that he had instructed US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and the US military to remain prepared to carry out a “full-scale, large-scale assault on Iran at a moment’s notice” if “an acceptable deal is not reached.”
In response, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi remarked that "the United States says it has 'temporarily' halted an attack on Iran to allow space for negotiations, while at the same time speaking of readiness to launch a large-scale strike at any moment."
"This is described as calling 'threat' a 'chance for peace,'" Gharibabadi said, adding that "Iran is fully and firmly prepared to confront any military aggression."
The exchange of remarks comes as Tehran on Monday delivered an amended 14-point proposal to the US through Pakistan mediation, according to semi-official media.
RELATED: Iran delivers 14-point proposal to US through Pakistan after amendment
Last updated at 9:35 pm.
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