US and Iran hold productive talks on ending conflict, says Vance

US Vice President JD Vance expressed measured optimism Monday that a deal can be reached to prevent new US strikes on Iran, following a letter he sent to Iran's security chief last week. Vance said he and President Donald Trump feel "pretty good" about prospects for a negotiated settlement. Vance's comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for another wave of strikes on Iran after Tuesday's US midterm elections, while Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks with Iranian officials last week. A proposed framework would have Iran cease attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Oil prices dropped Monday amid signs of diplomatic progress, and Trump downplayed the conflict's scale, saying "we haven't been doing any fighting for months." Iran's security chief called the US tone change a "very good sign," though Vance stressed any deal requires a verifiable commitment from Iran not to rebuild its nuclear program.