By Gloria Ogbonna
U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a pointed warning about divisions within Iran’s leadership, cautioning that competing factions inside the country could jeopardize a recently negotiated temporary truce involving the United States, Iran, and Israel.
Speaking Wednesday morning at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Budapest, Vance apologized to attendees for arriving late, explaining that he had been up “very late” the previous night helping to negotiate the ceasefire. Even as he addressed the audience, uncertainty reportedly lingered over the exact terms of the agreement, and early signs suggested the truce was already facing strain.
Vance described the ceasefire as “fragile,” emphasizing that its survival depends largely on how Iran’s internal power structure responds in the days and weeks ahead. According to the vice president, negotiations revealed significant divisions within the Iranian system. While some officials appear open to engaging in good-faith diplomacy, others are actively undermining the agreement.
Reflecting on the talks, Vance said he had “learned a lot about the Iranian system” and the way its leaders negotiate. He noted that U.S. officials had been engaging primarily with Iran’s foreign minister, whom he described as representing what appears to be one of the most influential factions in the country. According to Vance, that faction responded positively during discussions, signaling willingness to accept U.S. terms, observe a ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and pursue further negotiations.
However, Vance claimed that other elements within Iran — including voices on social media and possibly hardline factions — have spread misinformation about the military developments and the nature of the ceasefire itself. He alleged that these groups have mischaracterized what was achieved and have cast doubt on the agreement’s legitimacy.
“You have people who clearly want to come to the negotiating table,” Vance said, “and then you have people who are lying about even the fragile truce that we have already struck.” He added that this internal conflict makes the situation unpredictable and places the burden on Iran’s leadership to decide whether it truly wants peace.
The vice president credited U.S. military efforts during the conflict, stating that American actions helped create conditions for negotiations. He also said that President Donald Trump had instructed the U.S. delegation to negotiate in good faith while allowing Iran the opportunity to do the same. According to Vance, Trump advised him beforehand that “the Iranians are better negotiators than they are fighters,” but also made clear that if Iran failed to negotiate sincerely, there would be consequences.
Vance emphasized that while the United States possesses significant military and economic leverage, it was not eager to rely solely on those advantages. Instead, he said, Washington’s preference was to secure a durable diplomatic solution — provided Iran approaches negotiations with what he called “an open mind.”
Later in the day, Vance acknowledged that the ceasefire had experienced a rocky start. Nevertheless, he suggested that abandoning the truce so soon would be unwise for Tehran. Ultimately, he said, the decision rests with Iran.
Beyond the Iran discussions, Vance’s visit to Hungary also carried political significance. He addressed concerns about foreign influence in Hungary’s domestic politics ahead of closely watched national elections. The vice president criticized what he described as interference from institutions within the European Union, arguing that the United States would not engage in similar tactics.
While expressing support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Vance stressed that the Hungarian people remain sovereign and must determine their own political future. He called alleged external pressure campaigns “a scandal” and said his presence in Budapest underscored U.S. support for allies it considers partners in promoting peace and stability.
As tensions surrounding the Iran ceasefire continue to unfold, Vance’s remarks highlighted both the delicate nature of the agreement and the broader geopolitical stakes involved — not only in the Middle East, but also in Europe.
Source Breitbart