US resumes strikes after Iran rejects JD Vance's proposal to restart peace talks

A letter by US Vice President JD Vance to Iran requesting to resume peace talks has reportedly been rejected . The request was met with the pushback that no new steps will be taken until all seven of Iran's conditions have been met simultaneously. Mr Vance contacted a top Iranian political and military official to propose a renewal of peace negotiations, the New York Times reported, quoting a US official and an Iranian official. Mr Vance's letter was sent just days before the US midterm elections next week, which could be devastating to the Republican Party.

He reached out in a letter sent last week via Qatari meditators and delivered on Sunday to General Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and former commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards Corps. The letter reportedly suggested that American and Iranian officials meet soon , adding that he would lead the talks for the US. The proposal was reportedly received well by Iran's leaders, many of whom view Mr Vance as someone would could help end the conflict, the Iranian official said.

However, the Hormuz Letter has reported that although Tehran has not yet responded to Mr Vance's letter, the red line remains. "Iran has rejected JD Vance's request to restart talks, saying it will take no new steps until the United States implements its seven conditions 'all at once,' per an informed Iranian source to Al-Mayadeen and Fars News," The Hormuz Letter reports. "The conditions include ending all military actions, releasing frozen assets, lifting the naval blockade, and withdrawing U.S. forces from areas near Iran.

Tehran has not yet responded to Vance's letter. The red line remains. Washington can keep writing. Iran is not moving." Shortly after the news of the Mr Vance's letter broke, reports circulated that the US Air Force struck an Iranian missile launcher on Qeshm Island following missile launches from the area. CENTCOM official told Faytuks Network about the strike, Israel War Room shared in a post on X. The development comes just days before Americans take to the polls in what analysts and polls suggest could be a bloodbath for the Grand Old Party.

The war in Iran has been a key issue for US voters. Mr Trump often describes the conflict as a "little detour" but it has emerged as an unforced liability for the president, who once promised to keep the US out of foreign wars. Now, the conflict in the Middle East looks like it could escalate. The Mirror reported earlier this week that several countries in the Gulf have been told to prepare for a short but intense military campaign in Iran after the US midterm elections next week.

But analysts have said an escalation may not be effective in bringing Iran to its knees.