'Many economic, military and diplomatic tools remain to pressure Iran'

Vance says he is 'extremely skeptical' of Iran's claim that US strike hit wedding venue

US Vice President JD Vance holds a briefing at the White House press room on Thursday (local time). [EPA]
US Vice President JD Vance holds a briefing at the White House press room on Thursday (local time). [EPA]

US Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the United States will not engage in talks with Iran unless it stops attacking merchant ships.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Vance said President Donald Trump "has been very clear" on the prospect of negotiations with Iran. "We are not talking to them, and we will not talk to them unless they stop attacking merchant ships," he said.

Vance said that despite Iran's repeated attacks on merchant vessels, the volume of oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz had nearly returned to pre-conflict levels.

"Last night, approximately 15 million barrels of oil were transported through the Strait of Hormuz," he said, adding that the throughput had "almost recovered to the level before the conflict began."

He went on to say that a global energy crisis would have erupted had the United States not protected merchant shipping, and called on Iran to "stop acting like crazy people and stop firing on merchant vessels."

Vance said the United States has "many additional tools" at its disposal to pressure Iran, citing economic, military and diplomatic measures.

However, he declined to specify which tools would be used, saying that decision rests with President Trump.

Asked whether the conflict with Iran would be over before the midterm elections in November, Vance drew a line at calling the situation a war. "I'm not going to call this a war," he said.

"Major combat operations are not currently underway and have not been for a considerable period of time," he said. "There is no active shooting going on right now."

He added that asking when the situation would end was the same as asking when Iran would stop attacking ships. "Honestly, I don't know the answer to that question. You'd have to ask Iran," he said.

Vance said China has been cooperative in response to US efforts to economically isolate Iran.

"We've certainly had multiple conversations with China, and frankly I think China has responded positively to some of the things we've asked," he said.

He added, however, that this did not mean China was doing everything the United States had asked. "I think China is acting far more responsibly than Iran and several other countries," he said.

Vance said the United States is investigating Iran's claim that a US airstrike caused dozens of casualties at a wedding venue in southern Iran on Tuesday.

However, he said he was "extremely skeptical" of the reports, noting that "Iranian state media has not been very accurate in conveying what has happened in this conflict so far."

He went on to emphasize that US forces do not target civilians in combat, saying, "We are investigating this incident very thoroughly."

Meanwhile, Vance reaffirmed the Trump administration's position that the Federal Reserve should cut interest rates, saying, "When I look at inflation and the consumer price index, I am convinced that it would be appropriate and responsible for the Fed to lower rates."


mokiya@heraldcorp.com