Iran received message from US Vice President Jay D. Vance but has not responded, reports say

Iranian media reported on Thursday that Tehran has received a message from US Vice President Jay D. Vance but has not yet responded, as US and Iranian efforts continue to seek a framework that could pave the way for resuming peace negotiations amid an ongoing US maritime blockade and threats of renewed military escalation.

The Tasnim news agency quoted Iranian sources as saying, "Iran received the message but has not yet replied," while Fars News Agency published a similar report citing a source familiar with the matter.

Iranian media emphasized that Tehran remains committed to what it describes as its "seven conditions" in dealings with the United States, stressing that "any position contrary to this framework is unacceptable."

The Wall Street Journal revealed on Wednesday that Vance sent a message to Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an attempt to revive peace talks, under the direction of US President Donald Trump, according to a source cited by the newspaper.

The newspaper explained that the message, along with subsequent talks between US and Iranian officials, focused on establishing a possible framework for negotiations rather than discussing specific details of a peace proposal. It noted that the move aims to avoid a new US attack on Iran.

These contacts come amid the ongoing fallout from the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, which caused major disruptions to energy supplies and had global economic repercussions.

Since the outbreak of the war, Iran has disrupted navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which previously accounted for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, and has begun attacking ships attempting to pass without its permission.

In response, the United States continues to enforce a maritime blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Iran's economy, while also considering additional options for dealing with Tehran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing informed sources, that Washington has asked several countries to prepare for the possibility of a "short and intense military campaign" against Iran after the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. However, the sources said Trump has not made a final decision on this step.

Meanwhile, Iran has warned it will expand its response if attacked again. Rezaei threatened to target infrastructure linked to the United States, including data centers and other facilities related to artificial intelligence.