Vance says Iran talks will be protracted amid internal hard-liner split

U.S. Vice President JD Vance told one outlet that talks with Iran will be “messy” and take time because Iran’s leadership is split between factions that want peace and hard-liners who prefer the war to go on. He highlighted the difficulty of dealing with a “fractured system” and said the United States will use military, economic and diplomatic levers to secure a result that benefits Americans. Vance noted that oil was trading at $79 and expected prices to decline once an agreement is reached, adding that Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon.

His comments coincided with Iran’s claim that it is in the final stage of drafting a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could ease global energy pressures. The remarks differ from President Donald Trump’s statement that significant progress had been made and a clearer picture would emerge within 48 hours. The discussion follows the collapse of a June memorandum intended to end hostilities, with diplomatic contacts now resuming despite lingering disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and the waterway’s reopening.