Trump says America does not need an Iran deal. He told Vance to focus on domestic anti-fraud efforts.
President Donald Trump said in a Thursday Truth Social post, “We don’t need a deal with Iran.” He directed Vice President JD Vance to give his full attention to alleged crime and corruption in Democratic-run cities and states.
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Vance was weighing a meeting with a senior Iranian security official. Vance had been tasked with leading negotiations between the two countries.
Trump also said the United States has Iran’s money, in the hundreds of billions of dollars, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose after his remarks, while Wall Street futures slipped.
Later Thursday, Trump said he would consider it a defeat if he left office with Iran’s current leadership still in power. CNN described his comments as mixed messages on the war.
The conflict dates to US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, after which Tehran restricted the Strait of Hormuz and energy costs surged. Trump had said repeatedly that Iran would be ready for a deal after the Nov. 3 midterms, in which Democrats won both chambers of Congress. Vance has blamed the war for Republican election losses
This report draws on USA Today, CNN, The Globe and Mail and the South China Morning Post.