1st November 2026 – (Tehran) Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said he has read a letter from US Vice President JD Vance calling for the resumption of peace negotiations but has not yet responded, describing a noticeable shift in Washington’s tone as “a good sign” while declining to share further details.
Rezaei reiterated that Tehran will not enter talks until the United States fulfils seven stated conditions, adding that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless those terms are met, and cautioned that any American error would be met with “devastating blows.” He noted that the US has tabled alternative proposals and said ambiguities are being handled through diplomatic channels.
Separately, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said the military is tracking hostile movements and preparations and warned that any aggression would draw an “immediate, effective and geographically unlimited” response.
The remarks come against the backdrop of a year marked by direct exchanges. On 28th February, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting Iranian missile and drone attacks against Israeli and US targets in the region and tighter control of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on 8th April. On 18th June, Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities on all fronts, setting a 60‑day window, to 17th August, for negotiations aimed at a final understanding on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief; the parties failed to make sufficient progress within that period.