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Vance tells top Iranian official negotiations must address nuclear program

Barak Ravid

Vice President Vance speaks to members of the media after the U.S. and Iran held high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit on June 22, 2026 in Switzerland. — Vice President Vance speaks to members of the media after the U.S. and Iran held high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit on June 22 in Switzerland. Photo: Nathan Howard-Pool/Getty Images

Vice President Vance sent a letter to Iran's national security chief stressing that any negotiations to head off U.S. military strikes "require discussions on the nuclear issue," a U.S. official said.

Why it matters: The letter to Mohsen Rezaei, which focused on the possibility of restarting negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, is the most senior-level outreach by the U.S. to Iran in several months. It comes as President Trump considers resuming major combat operations in Iran after the midterm elections.

Behind the scenes: Vance suggested sending the letter to Rezaei, who is one of the top national security officials in Iran and has a direct line to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

"The President was enthusiastic about the letter," said the U.S. official, who declined to say when it was sent.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the letter.

Zoom out: One of the key sticking points in efforts to relaunch negotiations is Iran's demand that the U.S. first lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds, and allow oil sales. The U.S. wants Iran to restart nuclear negotiations before receiving any sanctions relief.

What he's saying: Trump told reporters Wednesday that Vance's letter was about helping Iran obtain needed medical supplies.

"Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well," he said.

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Vance tells top Iranian official negotiations must address nuclear program

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