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Amid talk of two critical weeks that could determine the course of any potential U.S. military action against Iran ahead of the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3, Tehran rejected a U.S. request to lower its uranium enrichment levels as a step toward ending the war. At the same time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to close navigational routes in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to repeated U.S. declarations that Iran has lost full control of the strait.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said in an interview with Reuters that Iran must make a “substantial” reduction in its uranium enrichment capabilities to meet U.S. demands and end the ongoing conflict between the two countries, which has lasted more than seven months.
The Trump-appointed vice president, considered one of the strongest advocates for reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran, noted that any deal would require Iran to reduce its enrichment capacity, rather than simply providing assurances that it would curtail its nuclear capabilities in the future.
Addressing Iranians directly, he said, “If you do not want a nuclear weapon, why do you need fuel enriched to 60 percent? And if you want to demonstrate commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, do not produce highly enriched fuel. This is a very fundamental issue.”
He pointed out that the situation is further complicated by Washington’s uncertainty regarding who holds decision-making power in Tehran, noting that the United States is holding talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, without clarity on the extent of their authority within the Iranian political structure.
A senior Iranian official responded to Vance via Reuters, stating that Tehran would never relinquish its right to enrichment. The source emphasized that “U.S. recognition of Iran’s right to enrichment constitutes a red line for Tehran, and it will show no flexibility on this matter under any circumstances.”
He added that “U.S. proposals and ideas regarding the nuclear file contradict Iran’s demands.” He continued, “The United States must first accept Tehran’s conditions before any dialogue on the nuclear file.” The official said that details of enrichment could be discussed in later stages.
On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Iran has “completely lost control” of the “Strait of Hormuz,” adding that its economy is “experiencing a complete and total freefall.”
Rubio, speaking during a visit to Athens today, said that “current oil flows are barely matching those transported before the conflict began.” He stressed that Tehran is spending money on terrorism, weapons, and Hezbollah, and affirmed that Trump is dismantling its military-industrial and war-making capabilities, and will not allow it to possess a nuclear program.
Appearing to respond to Washington’s assertion that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer under Iranian control, IRGC Commander’s advisor Mohammad Reza Naqdi threatened to close “new routes” in the strait, claiming they had been created after the destruction of some rocky passages. He argued that “the volume of smuggled oil is very small, and it cannot be said that the strait is open.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian military emphasized that his country possesses sufficient weapons and readiness to wage a prolonged war, hinting at the execution of preemptive operations and launching a stronger and broader response in the event of a land invasion or the entry of forces into Iranian islands in the Gulf.
