Vance demands Iran make 'meaningful' cuts to nuclear enrichment or the seven-month war will intensify

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

Vice President JD Vance has told Reuters that Iran must make real cuts to its nuclear enrichment programme — not merely promises — if it hopes to reach a peace deal ending the seven-month US-Iran war. Vance, who brokered a tentative ceasefire in June that collapsed almost at once, pressed Iran to justify why it needs fuel enriched to 60% if a nuclear weapon is not its goal. President Trump has already rejected Tehran's latest proposal, and cautioned that fighting may grow more severe once November's midterm elections have passed. Adding to the complexity, Vance admitted that Washington cannot say with confidence who actually wields decision-making power in Tehran following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Gold Star families of six troops killed in the war's deadliest strike — an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait on March 1 — are largely boycotting Trump's White House reception, demanding Pentagon transparency.

Iraq has devalued its currency from roughly 1,300 to 1,500 dinars to the dollar after Strait of Hormuz disruptions wrecked its oil export revenues.

Since the conflict began, the US military has reportedly written off 81 planes, drones and helicopters at a combined cost of $3.3 billion.