Vance reaches out to Iran security official on peace talks- WSJ

U.S. Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to revive peace negotiations, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

President Trump told reporters Wednesday evening that he approved Vance’s outreach, stating that they "need help with medical supplies and various things."

Last week, Trump said the administration was not in talks with Iran and suggested military action could be coming after the midterm elections. 

Vance’s letter and follow-up discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials have not included specific peace proposals, the WSJ report said. The talks have instead centered on a possible framework for negotiations.

Rezaei said last week that Iran would not negotiate with Washington until certain core demands were met, specifically lifting a naval blockade against the country, unfreezing some foreign assets, and ending all military action against Tehran. 

A memorandum of understanding reached in June fell apart two weeks after it was signed due to conflicting interpretations on how to unlock shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz has remained largely closed, with Iran also seen increasing attacks on shipping through the waterway in recent weeks.