US Vice President JD Vance attributed the renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran to internal divisions within Iran between “hardliners” and pragmatists. At the same time, he stressed that the US administration still sees an opportunity to pursue diplomatic channels, despite recent developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Vance described the Trump administration’s handling of the Iran issue as a “delicate diplomatic dance”, saying there were disagreements within Iran’s leadership over how to respond to the crisis.

He explained that the hardline faction had adopted a tougher position following developments in the Strait of Hormuz, believing that the continued flow of oil through the strategic waterway was reducing Tehran’s leverage. This, he said, had prompted them to pursue a more aggressive approach aimed at escalation.

“Essentially, they said: ‘We’ll try to close this maritime route. We’re afraid we’re losing our bargaining power.’ On the other hand, the realists within their system say: ‘That was a mistake. Let’s continue the talks,’” he said.

The realist faction

In contrast, Vance said the so-called “realist” faction within Iran believes the escalation was a mistake and favours continuing dialogue with the United States. He added that Washington is attempting to engage with this group, while responding militarily when it is attacked or confronted with acts of violence.

The US Vice President also said that the memorandum of understanding reached between the two sides last month “was presented in a highly distorted manner”, adding that much of what has been said about the agreement does not reflect its actual content.

However, he acknowledged that the agreement is no longer fully in force following Donald Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire had ended, at a time when both Washington and Tehran have taken escalatory steps, including attacks on commercial vessels and the reinstatement of US restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

“We remain on the right track”

Despite the latest developments, Vance insisted that the US administration “remains on the right track” in its dealings with Iran. However, he predicted that the next phase would involve repeated setbacks, saying that reaching any agreement would be “a complex process marked by periods of progress and setbacks”.

During the interview, Joe Rogan asked JD Vance why President Trump repeatedly says that a deal has been reached with Iran before renewed strikes begin.

Vance replied: “We are on the right trajectory; it’s just going to be really messy. There’s going to be a lot of starts and stops.”

The US Vice President described the Trump administration’s approach as “a delicate diplomatic game” combining economic pressure, incentives for negotiations and military deterrence.

“We’re using economic leverage, we’re using the ‘carrot and the stick’, we’re trying to engage with the pragmatists, and when violent acts are committed, we respond,” he said.

According to Vance, these measures are being pursued simultaneously with the aim of creating more favourable conditions for a future agreement.

“Yes, there is an exchange of fire right now. However, Iran’s nuclear programme remains dismantled, and, within the context of the broader negotiations, developments are putting us on a better path,” he said.

Criticism of Republican “hawks”

Vance also criticised the most hardline elements of the US conservative movement, saying they believe the only solution is “to bomb Iran until it disappears”.

He argued that many of these figures support regime change in Iran, while recalling that previous US attempts to overthrow governments in other countries had come at a high cost and required major deployments of ground forces.

“I wasn’t the most enthusiastic”

Asked whether he would have ordered a military operation against Iran if he had been in Donald Trump’s position, Vance acknowledged that he was “less enthusiastic” than some other members of the administration.

However, he stressed that his role is not to act as a public commentator but to support the President’s decisions, provided they are, as he put it, “lawful and ethical”.

“The goal is absolutely correct: to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” the US Vice President concluded.