Vance writes to Iran's security chief to restart peace talks

Washington — US Vice President JD Vance has written directly to Iran's security chief in an 11th-hour attempt to restart peace talks and head off what officials describe as a possible "short, intense" American military campaign against Tehran in the coming weeks.

The letter, sent to Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, proposed a swift return to direct negotiations, with Vance himself leading a US delegation, Al Jazeera reported. According to the New York Times, the letter was passed to Rezaei by Qatari mediators on Sunday and stressed that Iran's nuclear programme would have to be on the table from the outset.

If Tehran accepts, talks could begin as soon as next week, with Qatar or Turkiye named as possible venues, US and Iranian officials told the Times. The paper reported the letter had been "received well by Iran's leaders", and that Rezaei is expected to respond formally on Thursday. Tehran has not commented publicly on the letter itself.

Accounts of Trump's role diverge. The Wall Street Journal reported the president directed the outreach, while a US official told Axios that Vance proposed the letter and Trump welcomed it, Euronews reported. Trump himself denied ordering peace negotiations, telling reporters the contact was chiefly about helping Iran "with medical supplies and various things".

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, struck a conditional note of openness, writing on X that while Iran's armed forces were "fully prepared to defend the homeland", Tehran "is still giving diplomacy a chance to succeed" and remains in contact with mediators over its seven-day plan.

The overture comes amid US warnings to Gulf allies to prepare for a brief, high-intensity campaign after the 3 November midterm elections, though the Journal reported Trump has made no final decision. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes in late February, has already choked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled energy markets.

Analysts see meaning in the choice of recipient. Hamidreza Azizi of the International Crisis Group told Al Jazeera it suggests Washington believes direct engagement with Rezaei now offers better prospects. For Gulf capitals bracing for what comes next, the wait is for Rezaei's answer on Thursday — and for Trump's final order, whichever way it goes.