Washington has engaged Tehran in an intense and aggressive diplomatic push to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, the US vice-president, JD Vance, said on Thursday, even as American and Israeli forces continue to impose a naval blockade following a deadly military campaign.
The United States remains locked in an exceptionally active and forceful diplomatic dialogue with Iran, aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, according to the US vice-president, JD Vance.
“I agree with the president that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. We are, of course, engaged in a very active and aggressive diplomatic process to try to ensure that does not happen,” Vance told reporters.
He added that Washington has a broad array of tools at its disposal – both diplomatic and military – to exert pressure on the Islamic republic.
Following the launch of US and Israeli military operations against Iran, Tehran announced it was halting all shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The restrictions have driven up the cost of sea, rail and air freight, caused logistics disruptions and led to delays in the delivery of goods.
President Donald Trump has declared that American forces would “destroy anyone” attempting to approach Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium.
Iranian authorities have repeatedly insisted that the republic is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is dedicated solely to civilian energy purposes.
The US and Israel began striking targets inside Iran on February 28, with the aggression claiming more than 3,000 lives. Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire on April 8. Subsequent talks held in Islamabad ended inconclusively, with no further reports of renewed fighting. However, the US has since imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
