‘We have tools we haven’t used’: JD Vance warns Iran, pushes for talks before deadline

US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday made it clear that Washington still has more cards to play in its standoff with Iran—but also made it equally clear that the US would prefer not to use them.

Speaking during a visit to Hungary, Vance said the US has already met most of its immediate military goals, but warned that stronger steps are still on the table if things don’t move in the right direction.

“They’ve got to know we have tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use,” he said, pointing to the possibility of further action if needed. He added that the call ultimately lies with Donald Trump.

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At the same time, Vance struck a more measured tone, stressing that there is still a chance to avoid escalation. “I hope the Iranians will show wisdom. There are 12 hours until the ultimatum set by the president, there will be many negotiations until then and I hope they reach a good outcome,” he said.

Trump raises the stakes ahead of deadline

The comments come as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure ahead of a hard deadline—8 p.m. Eastern time—for Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post earlier in the day, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” adding that while he does not want that outcome, it could happen if the situation worsens.

He has already laid out what action could look like, including strikes on key infrastructure such as power plants, bridges and even water desalination facilities. The messaging has been blunt and leaves little doubt about the seriousness of the deadline.

Talks still happening behind the scenes

Despite the strong language, negotiations haven’t stopped. Trump himself said Iran has made a “significant” proposal—though he also made it clear that it falls short of what the US wants. That suggests both sides are still engaged, even if there’s a gap to close.

Vance’s remarks also point in the same direction. There’s still time, and there’s still talking going on. The next few hours are likely to see intense back-and-forth.

Pressure continues on the ground

While diplomacy continues, the US has not eased off on military pressure. American forces have carried out fresh strikes on targets on Kharg Island, a key point for Iran’s oil exports. The strikes did not hit oil facilities, which appears to be a deliberate move—keeping pressure on without immediately shaking global oil supplies.

Still, the range of options being discussed is wide. Trump has not ruled out sending ground forces, and there has been talk of targeting areas linked to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

A tense wait for what comes next

With the clock ticking, everything now hinges on what happens before the deadline.

Vance’s comments show the line the US is trying to walk—stay tough, but leave space for a deal. Whether that balance holds depends on how Iran responds in these final hours. For now, it’s a waiting game—but one where the stakes couldn’t be much higher.