Vance Doubts Peace with Iran as Trump Threatens New Strikes
“Locked and loaded” is how US Vice President JD Vance described the American military's readiness for a potential resurgence of conflict with Iran. In a White House briefing, he admitted he’s “not certain” about reaching a peace deal, despite recent negotiations showing “a lot of good progress.” But, as he quipped, “You never know until you know, right?”
His remarks came hot on the heels of Donald Trump’s bold declaration that he could order “another big hit” on Iran. Vance echoed Trump’s aggressive stance, revealing that the former president has urged his team to “aggressively negotiate” with Tehran.
Earlier, Trump claimed he was “an hour away” from launching fresh strikes to pressure Iran into compliance with new peace terms. Just yesterday, he had expressed optimism about a potential agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating there was a “very good chance” of success.
The G7 finance ministers have also weighed in, emphasizing the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and tackle global economic imbalances. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation and stable energy markets, urging all nations to avoid arbitrary export restrictions.
Trump remains adamant that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons. He recounted telling his administration before the conflict escalated, “We’re going to have to make a little journey down to a place called Iran. We have to stop them; they have nuclear on their mind.”
At a Congressional picnic, he confidently stated, “We’ve done a hell of a job,” predicting that the war would end “very quickly.” He claimed the Iranians are desperate for a deal, saying, “They want to make a deal so badly; they’re tired of this.”
In a bid to reassure Americans grappling with soaring gas prices, Trump promised that oil prices would soon “plummet,” citing an abundance of oil supply.
However, US and NATO intelligence reports suggest that Iran still possesses significant missile capabilities and has several strategic advantages left in its arsenal. Despite Trump’s claims of having decimated Iran’s military during six weeks of conflict, intelligence sources indicate that Iran retains access to most of its missile systems and underground facilities.
In response to the ongoing conflict, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day extension of a sanctions waiver allowing purchases of Russian seaborne oil to assist “energy-vulnerable” nations affected by the war. This extension aims to provide temporary access to Russian oil without violating stringent US sanctions.
The UAE reported that six drones were launched against it from Iraq recently, one of which caused a fire at a nuclear power plant. The UAE’s defense ministry intercepted all but one drone targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, asserting that the facility remains safe and no radioactive material was released.
Iraq is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias that have claimed responsibility for attacks against “enemy bases” during the ongoing conflict. While hostilities have diminished since the ceasefire in April, drone attacks from Iraq towards Gulf nations continue.
A mysterious strike on an Iranian oil refinery has led to an oil spill affecting Shidvar Island, a protected wildlife breeding ground. Videos and satellite images reveal the ecological damage inflicted by the war, with oily rain reported in Tehran following airstrikes on oil facilities.
Mobile footage captured by an Iranian named Ehsan Jalali shows thick black smoke rising from the refinery strike on Lavan Island. This footage surfaced as Iran's government has restricted internet access for weeks.
European markets reacted positively to news of a pause in US military action against Iran following Tehran's latest peace proposal. Trump noted a “very good chance” for a deal limiting Iran's nuclear program, causing oil prices to dip slightly while European equities showed modest gains.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.2% but remains below pre-war levels as Europe grapples with its reliance on oil imports amidst global market fluctuations driven by AI optimism.
