US Vice President JD Vance said the United States will not be drawn into a lengthy Middle East conflict, even as President Donald Trump weighs potential military options against Iran. Speaking to The Washington Post while returning to Washington from Wisconsin, Vance pushed back firmly against predictions of another years-long war.
He stressed that Washington prefers diplomacy and continues to pursue negotiations with Tehran. “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” Vance said. He added that officials still hope talks can resolve the standoff peacefully, although decisions will depend on Iran’s next moves.
The remarks come at a sensitive moment, as the United States and Iran recently completed another round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Officials described the discussions as serious but acknowledged that major disagreements remain.
Geneva negotiations show cautious progress
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the latest Geneva meeting “intensive” and said both sides showed greater seriousness about reaching a negotiated solution. However, he admitted that differences persist and further talks are likely within a week.
Vance pointed to previous US operations — including last year’s limited action involving Iran — as examples of clearly defined missions with firm endpoints. He reiterated his long-standing skepticism toward large-scale foreign interventions, while still keeping military options on the table if diplomacy fails.
At the same time, Trump’s recent messaging has highlighted concerns about Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions. Even so, US officials continue to emphasize that diplomacy remains the preferred route, underscoring Washington’s effort to balance pressure with negotiations.
For now, both sides appear committed to continuing talks, leaving the region in a tense but watchful holding pattern.
