Vance Says Trump Has ‘Tools’ He Hasn’t Yet Used Against Iran

Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt message to Iran on Tuesday, warning that the regime faces a rapidly approaching deadline to respond to U.S. demands or risk severe consequences from President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

Speaking during an appearance in Hungary alongside Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Vance emphasized that Tehran’s window to negotiate is closing fast.

“We feel confident that we can get a response, whether it’s positive or negative, we’re gonna get a response from the Iranians by 8 o’clock tonight,” Vance began. “I hope they make the right response because what we really want is we want a world where oil and gas is flowing freely, where people can afford to heat their homes and cool their homes, where people can afford to transport themselves to work.

“That’s not gonna happen if the Iranians are engaged in acts of economic terrorism,” the vice president continued. “They’ve got to know, we’ve got tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use. The president of the United States can decide to use them, and he will decide to use them if the Iranians don’t change their course of conduct.”

The remarks underscore the Trump administration’s broader push to restore stability to global energy markets, which have been thrown into turmoil following Iran’s aggressive actions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Signals Progress — But Keeps Pressure High

Just days earlier, President Trump pointed to what he described as early signs of progress in negotiations, noting that Iran had allowed additional oil tankers to pass through the critical shipping lane.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump highlighted what he framed as a direct result of American strength and leadership.

“They gave us… 20 boats of oil. Big, big boats going through the Hormuz Strait,” Trump said. “That’s taking place starting tomorrow morning.”

The move expands on an earlier concession involving 10 vessels — a development Trump had previously described as a “gift” amid ongoing talks. While administration officials cautiously welcomed the step, they have made clear that limited cooperation will not be enough to resolve the broader الأزمة.

Before tensions escalated in late February, roughly one-third of the world’s oil supply flowed through the narrow passage. Since Iran’s closure of the route in response to U.S.-Israeli military action, traffic has plummeted by as much as 90 percent — sending shockwaves through global markets and raising alarms among Western allies.

A Clear Ultimatum from the White House

Despite the limited tanker movement, President Trump has doubled down on his ultimatum, making it clear that time is running out for Tehran to reverse course.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

In a follow-up post, the president sharpened the timeline even further: “Tuesday, 8 P.M. Eastern Time!”

The administration has repeatedly warned that failure to comply could result in decisive strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure — a move framed as necessary to protect global commerce and American interests.

Escalation Following Military Confrontation

The stakes rose dramatically after Iran reportedly shot down two U.S. aircraft late last week. In a reassuring update, President Trump confirmed that all American personnel involved were safely recovered — a testament, officials say, to the strength and preparedness of U.S. forces.

Still, the incident reinforced concerns within the administration that Iran’s leadership remains willing to escalate tensions rather than pursue meaningful diplomacy.

While Iranian officials have attempted to downplay recent tanker movements as routine trade, U.S. leaders view the situation differently — interpreting any concessions as the direct result of renewed American deterrence under President Trump’s leadership.

With the deadline now imminent, the world is watching closely to see whether Iran will step back from confrontation — or face the full weight of U.S. power.