(AURN News) — Vice President JD Vance departed Joint Base Andrews on Friday for high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan aimed at ending the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, expressing cautious optimism ahead of the talks.
“We’re looking forward to the negotiations. I think it’s gonna be positive. We’ll, of course, see. As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re gonna try to play us, then they’re gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.”
Vance made the remarks before departing, warning that the U.S. would respond firmly if Iran does not negotiate in good faith. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, he warned what would happen if Iran tries to “play” the U.S.
Vance will be joined in Pakistan by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Talks come amid a two-week ceasefire described by Vance earlier this week as a “fragile truce.”
A key dispute centers on Lebanon. Pakistan mediated the truce but said Lebanon is included in the ceasefire. However, Vance told reporters the U.S. never agreed that Israel would stop attacking the country.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking as the world watches closely, with the outcome of these talks likely to shape the next phase of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
