Briefing

Vance letter proposes direct US-Iran talks, Tehran yet to reply

US Vice President JD Vance sent Iran's security council chief Mohsen Rezaei a letter proposing immediate direct talks including on the nuclear programme, US media reported. Semi-official Tasnim said Tehran received it without replying and insists on its seven conditions. Israel's election left no bloc with a Knesset majority, and experts told Al-Monitor that caretaker premier Benjamin Netanyahu could still take Israel to war. The Pentagon put the war's cost at $47.1 billion through 16 October, excluding base repairs.

Updated 2026-10-30 01:02 UTC

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Diplomacy & foreign policy

Vance letter proposes direct US-Iran talks; Tehran yet to reply

US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, proposing an immediate resumption of comprehensive direct talks including on the nuclear programme…

Military & security

Israel election deadlock: Netanyahu can still wage war on Iran

Final results from Israel’s election gave Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc 53 Knesset seats, Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition 48 and Arab-led parties 19, leaving neither side the 61-seat majority.

Military & security

Iran war cost hits $47.1B as Trump says US didn't start it

The Pentagon told Congress the US war in Iran had cost $47.1 billion through Oct. 16, up $3.5 billion since mid-September and $9.6 billion since July, according to a CENTCOM estimate reviewed by Al-Monitor…