Vice President JD Vance said the United States still prefers diplomacy with Iran but will keep other options available if talks collapse. He made the remarks Tuesday while speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force Two.
A reporter asked whether the administration was leaning toward military action, especially after President Donald Trump discussed the possible deployment of another aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.
Vance said Trump has instructed his senior team to focus on securing an agreement that blocks Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He stressed that negotiations remain the top priority.
Military Option Not Off the Table
At the same time, Vance made clear that Washington will not limit itself to diplomacy alone. If Iran refuses to reach a deal, he said, the president has other tools available. He noted that the U.S. military remains the strongest in the world and gives the administration flexibility.
Still, he said officials will continue discussions unless Trump directs them to stop. According to Vance, the administration wants a peaceful outcome but will prepare for different scenarios.
No Push for Regime Change
Vance also addressed calls from some quarters for regime change in Tehran. He dismissed that approach and said any change in leadership would have to come from the Iranian people.
He emphasized that the administration’s main objective is simple: prevent Iran’s current leadership from developing a nuclear weapon.
Netanyahu Meeting Looms
The comments come just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House, where Iran is expected to dominate the agenda.
In a recent interview, Trump said Tehran appears eager to strike a deal. However, he warned that if talks fail, the United States would respond firmly.
Before leaving Israel, Netanyahu said he plans to outline his country’s principles for any agreement. He told reporters that those principles aim to protect both Israel and broader regional stability.
Talks Resume in Oman
Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian officials restarted discussions in Oman this week. The renewed contact marks the first direct talks since last summer’s brief but intense conflict.
The United States continues to maintain a sizable military presence in the Gulf. Observers see that posture as both a deterrent and a bargaining tool during negotiations.
For now, the administration appears committed to testing diplomacy. Yet officials also want Tehran to understand that alternatives remain on the table.
