Trump at odds with reports of Vance’s letter to Iran

Tehran claims to have received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, but has not yet responded, as US President Donald Trump insists the outreach was focused on providing medical supplies rather than peace talks. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Vance sent the letter to Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei at Trump's request in an attempt to revive peace negotiations and prevent new US strikes.

Vance and Iranian officials are said to have been discussing a framework for negotiations, though not specific terms for a peace deal. President Trump denied directing Vance to reach out to Iran for peace negotiations, stating that the purpose was simply to provide medical aid. Meanwhile, Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York and Vance's office have not commented on the correspondence.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war have not yet yielded a lasting agreement. On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was considering a plan with Qatar and Pakistan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil exports. However, a senior Iranian official reportedly said Doha's proposal contained unacceptable terms.

Iran insists that Washington meet seven conditions before reopening the strait, including a Middle East ceasefire, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting sanctions on its oil sector, and ending the US naval blockade. Iran began its war with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which included the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders.

Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and US assets, while imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports to limit its oil exports. Iran has long criticized US sanctions for impeding access to vital medical supplies.