WASHINGTON (Feb 26, 2026) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance has warned Iran to take Washington’s military threats “seriously,” echoing President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance as the two nations prepare for high-stakes negotiations in Geneva.
Escalating Rhetoric
In an interview with Fox News, Vance reinforced the administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign, stating that the U.S. would not allow what he termed the “craziest and worst regime” to obtain nuclear weapons.
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Diplomacy with a Threat: While Vance expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution, he asserted that President Trump has the “right” to use military force if negotiations fail.
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State of the Union Fallout: The warning follows Trump’s address to Congress, where he claimed Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States and rebuilding nuclear facilities targeted by U.S. strikes last year.
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New Demands: The U.S. is reportedly demanding that any new nuclear deal remain in effect indefinitely, a significant shift from the “sunset clauses” of the 2015 agreement.
Regional Tension
The verbal warnings coincide with a massive buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East and the announcement of fresh economic sanctions.
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Iran’s Response: President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained a “favorable outlook” for the Geneva talks, while Tehran continues to dismiss U.S. missile claims as “big lies,” insisting its nuclear program is strictly civilian.
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Historical Echoes: Analysts noted that Trump’s rhetoric mirrored the justifications used by the Bush administration prior to the 2003 Iraq invasion.
The upcoming Geneva meeting on Thursday will be the first major test of whether “maximum pressure” will lead to a new deal or a military confrontation.
