Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Oct 29: US Vice President JD Vance has written to Iran’s security chief in a renewed effort to restart peace negotiations and avert a possible fresh American military offensive following the US midterm elections in November, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, the letter was addressed to Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
The communication, along with subsequent exchanges between American and Iranian officials, reportedly focused on establishing a framework for negotiations rather than specifying the terms of a potential peace agreement.
The diplomatic initiative comes amid concerns that hostilities could resume after months of stalled negotiations. Washington has reportedly urged several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible “short, intense military campaign” against Iran after the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. However, Trump has not made a final decision on whether to launch another offensive, the report said, citing people familiar with the discussions.
The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in late February, triggering widespread regional instability and disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran subsequently closed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that carries approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. The United States has also maintained its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iranian military officials have warned that any fresh American attack could prompt wider retaliation, potentially targeting infrastructure linked to the United States, including data centres and artificial intelligence facilities.
Meanwhile, Iran has indicated that it remains in contact with regional mediators as it seeks to revive diplomatic efforts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Wednesday that renewed Israeli-led military action in the Gulf could have a “devastating” impact on international markets, affecting both energy-producing and energy-consuming countries.
“While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed,” Araghchi wrote on X.
He added that Tehran was discussing arrangements for a seven-day plan aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategic waterway within a week.
Regional mediators, led by Qatar, are also reportedly working to facilitate an agreement that would allow negotiations between Washington and Tehran to resume.
The discussions have included the possibility of easing sanctions against Iran in exchange for allowing United Nations inspectors to visit Iranian nuclear facilities damaged during the conflict.
The latest diplomatic efforts come amid mounting pressure on both sides to prevent another escalation that could further destabilise the Middle East and threaten global energy markets.