Trump denies directing Vance to revive peace talks with Iran

US President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance’s recent communication with Iran was aimed at helping the country obtain medical supplies, following reports that Vance had contacted Tehran to revive peace negotiations.

Iran has received a letter from Vance but has not yet responded, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that Vance had written to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei to restart peace talks, citing US officials and people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Trump denied directing Vance to contact Iran to resume negotiations, saying the communication concerned medical supplies and other essential items. He added that Vance had sought his opinion and that he had approved efforts to help people requiring medical assistance.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February. Washington has also imposed a naval blockade aimed at restricting Iran’s oil exports and increasing economic pressure on Tehran.

Iran has repeatedly accused US sanctions of limiting civilians’ access to essential medicines and medical equipment.

Meanwhile, Qatar presented Iran with a new draft proposal on Sunday to end the conflict. However, a senior Iranian official dismissed the proposal, saying Doha had conveyed unacceptable ideas rather than a concrete offer.

The conflict’s impact on global energy prices has also affected support for Republican candidates and contributed to declining approval ratings for Trump ahead of the US midterm elections. His Republican Party currently holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.