Vance Letter to Rezaei Proposes Direct Talks as US Weighs a New Strike After the Midterms

Al Jazeera reported on Thursday, October 29, 2026 (7 Aban 1405), citing the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, that US Vice President JD Vance has sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to restart peace talks. The Times wrote that Qatari mediators passed the letter to Rezaei on Sunday; it proposes a meeting led by Vance and says Iran's nuclear programme must be on the table from the outset. Al Jazeera says that if Iran accepts, talks could take place as soon as next week in Qatar or Turkiye.

Iran has not commented publicly on the letter, Al Jazeera says, but the Times reported Iranian leaders received it well and that Rezaei is expected to reply officially on Thursday. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on Wednesday that Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance. The Journal also reported that Trump has warned Persian Gulf allies to prepare for a short, intense campaign after the US midterm elections on November 3; Trump has said he authorised Vance's outreach to help Iran with medical supplies. The letter's text has not been published, and these accounts rest on media reports.