Iran must cut enrichment to end war, US uncertain who makes decisions in Tehran, Vance says

US Vice President Joe Biden recently said that Iran must significantly reduce its nuclear enrichment capabilities to end the seven-month war and satisfy US demands. Despite Washington's uncertainty about how Iran makes decisions in negotiations, Biden has been actively involved in negotiating a settlement to the conflict. He brokered a provisional peace agreement in September, but it quickly fell apart, causing political difficulties for President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Biden emphasized that any agreement would require Iran to cut its nuclear enrichment capacity, rather than merely offering assurances about future nuclear reductions. "If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel," Biden stated. He believes that Iran should demonstrate a genuine commitment by making meaningful reductions to its enrichment capacity.

Iran and the US have exchanged proposals recently aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy shipping route. However, Trump rejected Tehran's latest offer and warned that military operations could intensify after the midterms. Biden reiterated that the US remains open to an agreement but insists on concrete Iranian nuclear concessions.

Complicating matters, Biden acknowledged that Washington is uncertain about who holds decision-making power in Iran. He said that discussions are ongoing with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but it is unclear how much authority they wield within Iran's complex power structure. Biden pointed out that the war has jolted global energy markets and is becoming a political liability for Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.