Vice President JD Vance has a simple message for Iran: actions, not assurances. He said Tehran must take concrete steps to reduce its uranium-enrichment capacity, arguing that promises alone won't satisfy Washington as it seeks an end to the seven-month war.

Vance Demands Concrete Nuclear Concessions

Speaking to Reuters, Vance said any agreement would require a "meaningful" reduction in Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity, rather than pledges that Tehran would scale back its program at some later date.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?" Vance said, questioning why Iran would maintain such enrichment capabilities if its nuclear program is truly intended for peaceful purposes.

He added that Iran could demonstrate its commitment by taking tangible steps to limit highly enriched uranium production.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity," Vance said.

US Rejects Words Without Action

The comments come as the U.S. and Iran have exchanged proposals to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy shipping route.

President Donald Trump has rejected Tehran's latest offer and warned that U.S. military operations could intensify after the November midterm elections. Vance said Washington remains open to a deal but expects verifiable Iranian concessions.

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance said.

Iran Sets Conditions For Hormuz Reopening

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Sunday that Tehran would not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless Washington meets seven conditions.

A document circulating among officials proposes a seven-day confidence-building period to return the U.S. and Iran to a broader version of the June memorandum of understanding, Reuters reported.

The plan includes specific steps concerning Iran's nuclear program, according to the publication, citing an official familiar with the negotiations.

Qatar has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran as both sides work to resolve the dispute and restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway, which handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows before the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran remains committed to diplomacy but is prepared to respond if Washington resumes military operations.

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