On Thursday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated Tehran's conditions for ending the conflict with the U.S., as Vice President JD Vance reportedly explores diplomatic channels and insists President Donald Trump will not allow another prolonged Middle Eastern war.

Iran Rejects US Pressure, Insists On Seven Conditions

Ghalibaf took to X and said Washington's attempts to combine incentives with threats would not change Tehran's stance.

"Iran's conditions have been repeatedly and clearly stated to the mediators. The carrot-and-stick approach has no effect on Iran. Progress can only be achieved once Iran's seven conditions have been agreed upon," he wrote.

His remarks followed a Wall Street Journal report that Vance had sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in an effort to revive peace negotiations.

The outreach reportedly came at Trump's direction. The president told reporters Wednesday that he had approved Vance's request to make contact, citing Iran's need for medical supplies and other assistance.

The discussions have focused on establishing a framework for negotiations rather than presenting a concrete peace proposal.

Vance had earlier called for substantial concessions on Iran's nuclear program and headed failed negotiations in Pakistan. At the time, both sides remained divided over uranium enrichment and sanctions relief.

On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also signaled openness to diplomacy, saying Tehran remained in contact with intermediaries even as its armed forces prepared to defend the country.

However, Reuters reported that an Iranian official rejected Qatar's latest proposals as "unacceptable ideas and not an offer." Tehran is demanding sanctions relief and an end to the U.S. naval blockade, while Washington continues pressing for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program.

JD Vance Says Trump Won't Allow 'Forever War'

Meanwhile, Vance defended the administration's military campaign during a Fox News town hall in Fort Worth, Texas, after a Republican voter questioned Trump's promise to end costly foreign interventions.

Recalling his military service in Iraq, Vance acknowledged frustration with the U.S.'s prolonged involvement in the Middle East.

"We've been involved in Iran in some form for seven months. The U.S. has been dealing with Iran for 47 years, and I promise you that Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war," he said.

Vance maintained that opposing prolonged military interventions does not mean rejecting military force altogether, adding that Trump would achieve America's objectives before turning to other priorities.

At the time of writing, oil prices moved higher, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rising 1.16% to $103.18 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 1.04% to $116.08.