Vance Says U.S. and Iran Will Open Direct Channel in Doha to Ease Tensions

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Thursday that Washington and Tehran have agreed to create a direct communication channel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, to reduce the risk of further clashes. In an interview with the British right-wing site UnHerd, he said military officials from both sides will meet in Doha, Qatar, to resolve disputes.

Vance described the arrangement as involving an Iranian IRGC representative sitting with a U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, counterpart in Doha. “They said: OK, we will send someone from the Revolutionary Guards to sit in Doha with someone from U.S. Central Command, and that way we’ll solve many of these disputes,” he said, adding that the Iranians had agreed to send a representative to sit with an American envoy.

He also said the United Arab Emirates has opened new channels of communication with Iran, including contact with the Revolutionary Guards, something he said had not existed before. According to Vance, the UAE is holding talks with the Iranians that “have never taken place before, including with the Revolutionary Guards,” about different kinds of economic incentives.

Earlier this week, Vance said there had been progress on the nuclear issue despite Iranian denials. He said the Iranians had agreed to invite international inspectors into the country, calling it “a very important step.” He added that the groundwork for a final agreement with Iran had been laid, technical talks would continue through the week, and the International Atomic Energy Agency could visit as soon as this week, possibly even today. Vance also said the sides are working on a mechanism to dismantle Hezbollah’s weapons, while seeking both Israeli security and Lebanese sovereignty.