US Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that discussions between the United States and Iran were progressing well during indirect technical talks in Qatar focused on the Strait of Hormuz, though he cautioned that Washington could return to full combat operations if necessary.
Talks Based on Interim Accord
The negotiations are grounded in a 14-point interim agreement signed last month, which aimed to halt the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and reopen the strategic waterway. The pact also established a 60-day window for negotiating a permanent peace deal. However, both sides have publicly clashed over the interim pact's interpretation, leading to tit-for-tat military strikes over the past week and little visible progress on complex issues such as Iran's nuclear program.
Vance, speaking to reporters during a visit to Virginia Beach, Virginia, said he could not guarantee that Washington would not resume full combat operations ahead of next month's deadline. However, he emphasized that President Donald Trump had directed officials to pursue a diplomatic resolution. "I can't commit to anything, because obviously it depends on what the Iranians are ultimately going to do," Vance stated. "What I can commit to is: The president's not going to send our military back in unless he has to, unless there's a clearly defined purpose for it."
Technical Talks Focus on Shipping and Nuclear Issues
In Doha, technical discussions centered on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and were expected to later address Tehran's nuclear capabilities. "It's still pretty early, but talks are going well," Vance added. According to two senior Iranian sources, Iran is determined to secure international recognition of its control over the key oil-shipping waterway and its ability to levy fees on vessels entering or leaving the Gulf, even if force is required.
Traffic has partially resumed through the strait, which before the war handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. President Trump, who has prioritized removing Iran's highly enriched uranium, told reporters on Wednesday that "the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well," without providing specifics. When asked about the possibility of returning to all-out war, Trump remarked, "Well, I think they've come a long way. We hit them very hard last week. I think they're fine."
Mediation by Qatar and Pakistan
The indirect talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, began on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday, an Iranian official confirmed. A source with knowledge of the discussions described the structure as sessions between chief negotiators and specialists. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatar's prime minister to lay the groundwork for the talks but did not attend the sessions themselves. Later, Kushner and Witkoff met with Qatar's emir to discuss US-Iran negotiations and developments in Lebanon, where a parallel conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah erupted in early March.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi led a delegation comprising representatives from the foreign ministry, central bank, and agriculture ministry. The delegation met with Qatar's prime minister and held talks with mediators. Iran has publicly stated its priorities include agreeing on management of the strait and the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. The Iranian official said current discussions would focus on these two issues. The US priority, according to the source, is ensuring the free flow of traffic through the strait.
Incident in the Strait and Market Impact
Iran's state media reported on Wednesday that a foreign container ship had run aground in the strait after entering shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities. "Hormuz continues to reopen but it's patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.
The war triggered Iranian attacks on Gulf states hosting US military bases, killed thousands of people—mainly in Iran and Lebanon—and pushed up oil and fuel prices. President Trump faces domestic pressure to contain the economic fallout before November's midterm elections, as well as criticism from his own party that the interim deal leaves US objectives unmet. In Iran, the theocratic leadership survived the war but confronts domestic anger over a shattered economy.
Oil prices dipped further on Wednesday, with US West Texas Intermediate crude reaching its lowest since February 27—the day before the war's outbreak—at just under $69 a barrel.
Lebanon Track
The interim US-Iran deal also provides for an end to the conflict in Lebanon. The US has backed a separate track of talks between Israel and Lebanon's government, which produced a framework security deal that Hezbollah dismissed. Analysts warn the deal could entrench Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. The source with knowledge of the talks said there had been intensive diplomatic activity on Lebanon involving the US up to Tuesday evening.
