US Vice President J. D. Vance has warned that Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon could trigger a global nuclear arms race, while also stating that the United States is prepared to restart military operations if ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran fail.
Speaking at a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, Vance said the US remains committed to negotiations with Iran but made it clear that Washington would not compromise on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump reportedly delayed a decision on resuming strikes against Iran following requests from Gulf nations, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which suggested that Tehran was showing a willingness to engage in peace talks.
US says diplomacy remains preferred option
Vance said the Trump administration continues to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran in good faith and believes there is still scope for an agreement.
“We think the Iranians want to make a deal. The president of the United States has asked us to negotiate in good faith, and that is exactly what we have done,” Vance told reporters.
At the same time, he stressed that diplomacy would not weaken Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme. According to Vance, the US administration remains fully prepared to take military action if negotiations collapse.
He said he had met Trump before the media briefing and quoted the president as saying the US was “locked and loaded” if circumstances required a stronger response.
“We do not want to go down that pathway, but the president is willing and able to do so if necessary,” Vance said.
Fear of nuclear arms race in Gulf region
The US vice president argued that Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state could encourage multiple countries in the Gulf region and beyond to pursue their own nuclear programmes.
According to Vance, Iran would become “the first domino” in a wider global nuclear arms race. He warned that if Tehran obtained nuclear weapons, several countries across the Gulf could seek similar capabilities, potentially increasing instability worldwide.
He added that the spread of nuclear weapons to more nations, particularly those facing security challenges or internal instability, would significantly increase global risks.
“As the father of three young children, I do not want them to inherit a world where many more dangerous regimes possess nuclear weapons,” Vance said during the briefing.
Washington says Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons
Vance reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a core objective of US foreign policy. He said Washington was concerned not only about the possibility of Iran using such weapons directly, but also about Tehran using nuclear capability as leverage in geopolitical and economic negotiations.
The vice president said the US wants to keep the number of nuclear-armed countries limited and believes Iran crossing that threshold would undermine global security.
He also outlined what he described as “two paths” ahead — continued diplomatic engagement or a renewed military campaign.
“There is an option B, and option B is restarting military operations to pursue America’s objectives,” Vance said.
US hints at possibility of reset in ties with Tehran
Despite the strong warning, Vance suggested there may still be an opportunity to improve relations between Washington and Tehran if both sides remain willing to negotiate.
He said the Trump administration believes a reset in US-Iran relations is possible, but added that progress would require cooperation from both governments.
“But it takes two to tango,” Vance remarked, indicating that the future of the talks will depend on Iran’s response in the coming weeks.
(With inputs from PTI)