U.S. Won’t Negotiate With Iran Until Strait of Hormuz Attacks Stop, Vance Says
WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said the United States will not resume negotiations with Iran unless Tehran stops attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, setting a clear condition for any renewed diplomatic engagement as tensions between the two countries intensify.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Vance said Washington is not currently engaged in negotiations with Tehran and tied any return to talks directly to the security of commercial vessels operating through the strategically vital waterway.
“We are not talking to the Iranians, and we are not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said.
The statement represents one of the clearest descriptions yet of the Trump administration’s immediate condition for reopening diplomatic channels with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, connecting Persian Gulf oil and natural gas producers with international markets. Continued instability in the area has raised concerns about shipping safety, global energy supplies and higher fuel prices.
Shipping activity through the strait has remained significantly below normal levels. Data reported Friday showed that only four commodity vessels crossed the waterway on Thursday, compared with a 10-day average of 15. Before the current conflict, roughly 125 commercial vessels typically passed through the strait each day.
The security of the Strait of Hormuz has therefore become not only a military issue but also a major economic concern for the United States and the global economy.
Vance argued that Iran’s actions against commercial shipping have contributed to higher energy costs. He said restoring safe and reliable maritime traffic would be critical to reducing pressure on oil markets and consumers.
Oil prices have reflected those concerns. On Friday, Brent crude settled at $95.29 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude at $90.76. Despite a slight decline during Friday’s session, both benchmarks posted strong weekly gains as investors continued to assess the risk of further escalation between Washington and Tehran.
The administration is also increasing economic pressure on Iran. U.S. officials have emphasized sanctions and restrictions designed to limit Tehran’s access to international trade and revenue while maintaining military options if attacks continue.
Vance said several regional governments are working behind the scenes with Washington as part of efforts to pressure Iran over attacks on commercial vessels. He also said China has shown some willingness to cooperate with U.S. efforts, although he acknowledged Beijing has not agreed to everything Washington has requested.
The White House strategy increasingly combines military deterrence, economic pressure and conditional diplomacy: negotiations remain possible, but Washington says Iran must first stop targeting commercial shipping.
Vance stopped short of offering a timetable for when the confrontation could end. Asked about the duration of the conflict, he said the answer depends heavily on Iran’s behavior and whether commercial traffic can move safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
His remarks also came as U.S.-Iran tensions intensified following renewed exchanges of military attacks this week. The administration continues to argue that its actions are intended to protect American forces, international shipping and the flow of energy through the region.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is being closely watched by energy markets worldwide. Even without a complete shutdown of the waterway, reduced shipping traffic, higher insurance costs and fears of additional attacks can increase transportation costs and add a geopolitical risk premium to oil prices.
For American consumers, the consequences could eventually appear at gasoline stations and throughout the broader economy because sustained increases in energy and transportation costs can contribute to inflation.
Vance’s message leaves Tehran with a direct choice: halt attacks on commercial shipping and create an opening for negotiations, or face continued U.S. economic and military pressure.
For now, Washington appears unwilling to separate diplomacy from maritime security. The administration’s position places the Strait of Hormuz at the center of the next phase of U.S.-Iran relations, with the safety of commercial shipping potentially determining whether the confrontation moves toward negotiations or further escalation.
As of September 4, 2026, no renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations have been announced, leaving global markets and governments watching closely for Iran’s next move.
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