Vance Rules Out Iran Talks Until Shipping Attacks Stop, Iran Warns of 'Asymmetrical' Response

The United States has ruled out opening talks with Iran until Tehran halts its attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf, Vice President JD Vance said from the White House, hardening Washington's position even as both sides stopped short of formally declaring war on one another.

Speaking to reporters, Vance said the administration remained open to a diplomatic off-ramp in principle but would not sit down with Iranian officials while tankers and merchant vessels continued to come under fire in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region. He declined to characterize the current standoff as a "war," a choice of words that has drawn scrutiny given the scale of strikes exchanged between the two countries in recent days. Vance added that "all options remain on the table" for the administration, language that has become a standard signal of continued military readiness without committing to a specific next step.

Iran's response

The remarks came hours after Iran's First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, warned that Tehran was prepared to mount an "asymmetrical" and "multi-layered" response to continued American pressure. Aref did not detail what such a response might involve, but the phrasing echoes past Iranian doctrine that blends conventional retaliation with proxy action, cyber operations and disruption of shipping lanes — tactics that avoid direct confrontation with superior US military assets while still imposing costs.

The exchange underscores how far apart the two sides remain on even the preconditions for talks. The Trump administration has repeatedly said it wants to avoid a prolonged war, while simultaneously authorizing strikes it says are necessary to protect shipping and deter further Iranian aggression. Iran, for its part, has cast the American and allied actions as unprovoked escalation that leaves it no choice but to respond.

Why shipping attacks are the sticking point

Attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil trade passes, have been a central flashpoint of the latest round of hostilities. Insurers have already begun raising premiums for vessels operating in the area, and shipping companies have started rerouting or delaying transits, adding to global supply chain jitters. Vance's comments suggest Washington views ending these attacks as a non-negotiable first step before any broader de-escalation talks can begin, effectively putting the onus on Tehran to make the first move.

Wider fallout

The standoff has already rippled into other parts of the Gulf. Kuwait's air defense systems intercepted missiles fired in what was described as Iranian retaliation for earlier US strikes, sending sirens through parts of the country and raising fears that the conflict could widen beyond the two principal combatants. Regional capitals have urged restraint, wary that a broader war could disrupt oil exports and destabilize a region still recovering from previous rounds of conflict.

Markets have so far reacted cautiously rather than with panic, with crude prices elevated but not spiking dramatically, suggesting traders are still betting the conflict stays contained. That calculus could shift quickly if shipping attacks escalate further or if either side crosses a red line the other considers intolerable.

For now, both Washington and Tehran appear to be signaling resolve without fully closing the door on de-escalation — a posture that leaves the shipping lanes, and the global economy that depends on them, in a state of prolonged uncertainty.

This is an original summary based on public reporting. See our editorial policy for how we source, write, and correct our stories.