Vice President Vance accused Iran of “economic terrorism” over how it has blocked the Strait of Hormuz – but said the ball is in Tehran’s court when it comes to securing a peace deal.
“Well, as the president of the United States showed, two can play that game,” Vance told Fox NewsMonday – just hours after the US blockade came into force.
“If the Iranians are going to try to engage in economic terrorism, we’re going to abide by the simple principle that no Iranian ships are getting out either.
“We know that’s a big deal to them. We know it applies additional economic leverage.”
The blockade came into force – just two days after US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, failed following 21 hours of negotiation.
Vance told Fox News Iranian negotiators could not finalize a deal, but said there were “good conversations” and a “we made a lot of progress.”
“They moved in our direction, which is why I think we would say that we had some good signs, but they didn’t move far enough,” he said.
“Whether we have further conversations, whether we ultimately get to a deal, I really think the ball is in the Iranian court because we put a lot on the table, we actually made very clear what our red lines were.”
Vance claimed there was the prospect of a “grand deal” but said Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon and terrorism in order for it to become a “normal country.”
“It’s up to the Iranians to take the next step,” he said.
Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said there was “progress on many issues discussed,” but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that “unreasonable” demands made by Washington prevented a deal from being reached.
The US called on Iran to suspend its nuclear activity for 20 years, the New York Times reported, prompting Tehran to respond with a five year pause.
The US military is blockading Iranian ports in a bid to pressure Tehran into opening the strait – prompting the clerical regime to respond with threats on ports in the Persian Gulf.
President Trump threatened earlier Monday that any Iranian ships that “come anywhere close” to the blockade would be “immediately eliminated.”
Tehran compared the blockade to “piracy” and Pezeshkian warned of “widespread” global consequences, while China accused Washington of being “dangerous and irresponsible” in a sharp rebuke.
“The US increased military operations and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardize safety of passage through the strait,” Guo Jiakun, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said Tuesday.
“This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior.”
Chinese President Xi put forward a vague four point peace plan, vowing the world cannot “revert to the law of the jungle.”
He said sovereignty should be respected, the “principle of peaceful co-existence” should be upheld, the international rule of law safeguarded, and a coordinated plan for peace and security.
Despite barbs being traded, US and Iranian negotiators could return to Islamabad later this week for further talks.
“No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open,” an Iranian source told Reuters.
With Post wires.
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