JD Vance departs for Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, warns Tehran not to 'play' with US

US Vice President JD Vance on Friday left for Pakistan to take part in peace talks with Iran, expressing optimism about the negotiations while warning against any lack of sincerity from Tehran. While addressing reporters before his departure, Vance said the United States is open to constructive engagement if Iran approaches the discussions in good faith.

"We're looking forward to the negotiation. I think it's going to be positive. As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," he said.

President Donald Trump has tasked the member of his inner circle who has seemed to be the most reluctant defender of the conflict with Iran to now find a resolution to the war



that began six weeks ago and stave off the US president's astonishing threat to wipe out its "whole civilisation."

JD Vance, who has long been sceptical of foreign military interventions and outspoken about the prospect of sending troops into open-ended conflicts, set off Friday to lead mediated talks with Iran in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

Boarding Air Force Two on his way to Pakistan, the vice president said, "We're looking forward to the negotiation. I think it's gonna be positive. We'll, of course, see." He cited Trump in saying, "If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand." But he added, "If they're gonna try and play us, then they're gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive."