US Vice President Vance Defends Iran Diplomacy, Says Force Alone Cannot Win War

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters and AFP, U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday defended diplomatic efforts with Iran, arguing that military force alone cannot win a war against the country. In a podcast interview on July 15, Vance said, "You can bomb them, destroy their radar, eliminate some of their drones and missiles, and it's too easy to fire at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. But you must be genuinely willing to engage in dialogue and try to resolve this issue." He expressed disappointment with Americans and others who say "you cannot negotiate with Iranians." Vance also criticized elements within the Israeli government for attempting to manipulate U.S. public opinion on the Iran conflict and undermine negotiations aimed at ending the hostilities, prolonging the war indefinitely. Iran's chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is a pillar of Iran's national security and that Iran must maintain its established arrangements in this vital waterway. In a national address Wednesday evening, Ghalibaf said Iran has consistently insisted on consolidating these arrangements during negotiations and firmly opposes any attempts to disrupt them. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the military escalation between the U.S. and Iran. Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday that the Secretary-General urges all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue and diplomatic solutions.