Iran forces US to choose 'war or ceasefire' as Vance cites 'points of agreement' before talks
TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on Thursday, April 9, said that the United States must choose “between war and ceasefire” as tensions continue in the Middle East ahead of planned negotiations.
His remarks come as Vice President JD Vance indicated there were “a lot of points of agreement” between Washington and Tehran before upcoming talks in Islamabad.
Saeed Khatibzadeh condemns Israeli strikes, calls ceasefire violation
Khatibzadeh told the BBC that recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon constituted “a grave violation” of a ceasefire agreement and criticized the US position in the conflict.
He said Washington could not simultaneously advocate for a ceasefire while supporting actions that undermine it.
“You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept areas the ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally just start a massacre,” Khatibzadeh said.
He added that the US must choose “between war and ceasefire, you cannot have it both at the same time.”
While he did not deny that Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers helped train and arm the group, he said “it is not true that they are acting on behalf of us,” adding that agreements involving Iran and the US apply to each country and its respective allies.
Despite the escalation, Khatibzadeh said Iran remained “very much focused on getting (an agreement) done,” though he noted Tehran had “many doubts” about the prospects for a final deal.
He suggested that there were concerns that Washington might be prolonging diplomacy while preparing for military action or attempting to dictate terms without compromise.
Khatibzadeh also said Iran would ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz following what he described as US "aggression," saying, “definitely, we are going to provide security for safe passage, and it is going to happen after the United States actually withdraws this aggression.”
He emphasized that “energy security is important” and said any arrangement must be reciprocal.
JD Vance cites 'points of agreement' as US prepares for talks
Vance said there were “a lot of points of agreement” between the US and Iran as he prepared to lead an American delegation to peace talks in Islamabad.
He made the remarks while departing Hungary, adding that “ceasefires are always messy.”
President Donald Trump said Vance would be joined by senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the negotiations. Iran has confirmed it will participate, though it has not announced details of its delegation.
Trump also stated that US military assets would remain in the Middle East during the ceasefire and negotiation period.
“All US Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He added that failure to meet the terms of any agreement would result in escalation, stating, “then the 'Shootin' Starts,' bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.”
Trump reiterated that any deal would require Iran not to develop or obtain a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz would remain “OPEN & SAFE.”
