Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - U.S. Vice President JD Vance has defended continued talks with Iran, saying the conflict cannot be solved by military force alone and that diplomacy remains necessary to address tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. His comments come as hostilities have flared again, raising pressure on Washington to keep both military and diplomatic channels open.

Vance has argued that negotiations are still the best way to prevent the crisis from widening further. He has previously said progress was being made in talks with Iran and warned Tehran not to try to “play” the United States, showing that Washington wants leverage as well as dialogue. The latest remarks suggest the administration still sees diplomacy as a practical tool even while military strikes and retaliation continue. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute because it is a critical route for global energy shipping. Any breakdown there can quickly affect oil markets, shipping routes, and regional security. Vance’s position is that those risks make direct engagement with Iran unavoidable.

Vance’s defense of diplomacy signals that the U.S. is not relying on force alone, even amid renewed fighting. The message is that negotiations may still be the only realistic path to contain the conflict and protect shipping in the Gulf.