US Vice President JD Vance stated that technical-level negotiations with Iran in Doha, Qatar, are progressing positively, with discussions on the nuclear issue expected to begin soon. Speaking to CNN on Wednesday after addressing US service members in Virginia, Vance said, "It's still pretty early, but talks are going well."
Technical Negotiators in Doha
Vance elaborated on the current phase of talks, noting that technical negotiators from the US, Iran, Qatar, and other parties are meeting in Doha to work out details. "We're worried about the nuclear issue. We're going to start talking about that, so right now the talks are going well," he added, according to CNN.
Strength-Based Negotiation
Speaking at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Vance thanked US military personnel and emphasized that the negotiations with Iran are conducted from a position of strength. He stated the talks were possible "not out of weakness" but "out of strength." Vance contrasted the current US approach with past conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, arguing that President Donald Trump would only authorize military action with clearly defined objectives.
"[Trump's] negotiating from a position where Iran's nuclear program has been destroyed and their conventional military has been destroyed too," Vance said. He criticized those attacking the administration for negotiating, noting they are the same people who encouraged further bombing in Afghanistan. "Now, the president of the United States maintains a lot of options today in 2026, but if he ever asks you to go and drop bombs, it's going to be for something specific," he added.
Trump on Denuclearization
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump claimed that the "denuclearisation" of Iran is proceeding "well," expressing optimism about the diplomatic process despite Iran's absence from direct high-level talks in Qatar. Speaking to reporters before departing for North Dakota, Trump said discussions on Iran's nuclear program have progressed positively following recent US military action against Iran over strikes on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump asserted that Iran has changed its position after the strikes. "They've come a long way. We hit them very hard last week. They're fine. We're going to get it. It's the denuclearisation of Iran," he said. Reiterating Washington's stance, Trump stated, "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, all of this stuff that we look at, all of these things that we do, the country has never had activity like it's got right now."
Iranian Absence from High-Level Talks
Trump's remarks come as Iranian officials have not participated in direct high-level talks with the United States in Doha, Qatar. The technical negotiations, however, continue with Iranian representatives present.
