Washington: US Vice President J.D. Vance has warned that allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons could set off a wider arms race across the Gulf and beyond, saying Washington remains prepared to restart military action if diplomatic efforts collapse.
Speaking during a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Vance stressed that the United States was committed to preventing Tehran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump delayed plans for fresh military strikes against Iran following appeals from key Gulf allies, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, who urged more time for negotiations.
Vance said the current priority remains diplomacy, noting that Washington believes Tehran is showing willingness to negotiate seriously. He said the US administration had entered talks in good faith under President Trump’s direction and hoped a peaceful resolution could still be achieved.
At the same time, he made it clear that military options remain on the table if discussions fail to produce results. According to Vance, President Trump is fully prepared to act if the situation demands it, though the administration would prefer to avoid further escalation.
The Vice President described the issue as a defining global security challenge, arguing that an Iranian nuclear breakthrough could encourage other countries in the region to seek similar capabilities. Such a development, he warned, would risk triggering a dangerous chain reaction that could spread beyond West Asia.
He said the United States sees only two possible paths forward — either Iran agrees to a deal that guarantees it remains without nuclear weapons, or Washington takes stronger measures to ensure that outcome.
His comments come amid ongoing efforts to revive negotiations after weeks of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Regional powers have reportedly been pushing for restraint, warning that renewed military conflict could destabilise energy markets and further inflame security concerns across the Gulf.
While no final agreement has yet been reached, US officials maintain that the diplomatic window remains open — but not indefinitely. Vance’s statement underscored the administration’s position that while peace is preferred, the US is prepared to move decisively if talks break down.
