WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism Friday about upcoming U.S. negotiations with Iran aimed at ending a six-week war, describing the talks as likely to be "positive" while cautioning Tehran's diplomats against any gamesmanship.
Vance made the comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just before boarding Air Force Two for a flight to Pakistan. The negotiations are scheduled to begin Saturday in Islamabad, marking a potential turning point in the conflict that erupted on February 28. The discussions come amid fragile tensions, including a two-week ceasefire that started Tuesday, which has been strained by ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon and persistent disruptions to global oil shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran's southern coast, has become a flashpoint in the war. Before hostilities broke out, approximately 20 percent of the world's crude oil passed through this vital chokepoint daily, making it the most important shipping route for energy exports. Since the conflict began, Iran has severely restricted vessel traffic, throttling commerce and spiking global energy prices.
President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday evening, tying it to Iran's commitment to fully and immediately reopen the strait. However, reports indicate that shipping remains heavily curtailed, with only limited tankers able to navigate the passage. This has drawn sharp rebuke from the White House.
In a series of posts on Truth Social Thursday evening, Trump vented his frustration over the situation. "There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!" he wrote. In a follow-up message, the president added, "Iran 'is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,' That is not the agreement we have!"
These developments underscore the high stakes of the Islamabad talks. Vance, speaking directly to the press, emphasized the administration's approach. "We're looking forward to the negotiation," he said. "I think it's going to be positive."
He elaborated on the U.S. stance, invoking Trump's directives. "As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," Vance stated. But he issued a firm warning: "If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive."
Vance noted that Trump had provided "pretty clear guidelines" for the team, signaling a structured but conditional engagement. The vice president's remarks reflect a blend of hope and resolve, as the U.S. seeks to de-escalate a war that has already disrupted international trade and heightened regional instability.
The conflict's origins trace back to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. drawn in through its alliances and interests in the Middle East. The war, now in its seventh week, has seen sporadic airstrikes, naval blockades, and proxy clashes across Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. The ceasefire, brokered hastily last week, was meant to create breathing room for diplomacy, but Israeli operations in southern Lebanon have tested its limits, according to military analysts.
From Iran's perspective, officials in Tehran have maintained that restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz are necessary for national security amid the hostilities. Iranian state media has reported that the government is open to talks but insists on guarantees against further aggression from Israel and its allies. No direct quotes from Iranian negotiators were available ahead of the Islamabad summit, but sources close to the foreign ministry described the mood as cautious.
U.S. officials have stressed that reopening the strait is non-negotiable for any lasting peace. The waterway's closure has led to a surge in oil prices, with Brent crude futures climbing above $90 per barrel this week, according to market data. Shipping companies, rerouting vessels around Africa, face delays of up to three weeks and added costs in the millions.
Trump's public criticisms on Truth Social highlight the administration's impatience. The posts, which garnered millions of views overnight, accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire terms. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in a briefing Friday morning, reiterated that the U.S. expects full compliance. "The president has been clear: the strait must be open for business," she said, without elaborating on potential consequences if talks falter.
As Vance's plane touched down in Pakistan late Friday, local officials in Islamabad prepared for heightened security around the negotiation venue. The Pakistani government, acting as a neutral host, has hosted similar high-level talks in the past, including on Afghan peace processes. Diplomats from both sides are expected to convene at the Foreign Office compound, with sessions potentially extending over the weekend.
Broader implications of the war extend beyond oil markets. Humanitarian concerns have mounted, with aid groups reporting displacement of over 100,000 people in border areas of Lebanon and Iran. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session last week, where representatives urged all parties to honor the ceasefire and pursue multilateral solutions.
Looking ahead, success in Islamabad could pave the way for a formal end to hostilities and normalized shipping through the strait. Failure, however, might reignite full-scale conflict, with Vance's team prepared to walk away if Iran does not engage earnestly. As the world watches, the talks represent a critical juncture in a war that has reshaped global energy dynamics and tested U.S. diplomatic resolve under the Trump administration.
For now, the focus remains on the opening salvos in Pakistan. Vance's optimistic tone offers a glimmer of progress, tempered by the stark realities on the ground. Whether Iran heeds the U.S. warnings and Trump's demands will soon become clear, potentially altering the course of the Middle East for years to come.