Iran is a very difficult country to conduct diplomacy with, says US VP, replied as Russia seeks talks not force
*Iran, US to hold nuclear talks in Muscat on Friday – Russia FM
*Because of your attitude, Iran has no respect, trust for US leadership – Analyst
*All Iran demands is be and let be, mutual respect – Atolagbe
By KEMI KASUMU with Agencies
According to the report, Vance made this remark in a candid interview with journalist Megyn Kelly on Sirius XM, during which he highlighted the unique challenges facing US foreign policy toward Iran. He also described the structure of governance there as a major obstacle to traditional diplomatic efforts.
The United States Vice President, James David Vance, has described Iran as a country in the world that it is difficult to conduct diplomacy with unlike countries like Russia, China and North Korea with which his country has hostile relations with.
This was disclosed in a media report that has sparked reactions from all over especially among Nigerians on social media.
According to the report, Vance made this remark in a candid interview with journalist Megyn Kelly on Sirius XM, during which he highlighted the unique challenges facing US foreign policy toward Iran. He also described the structure of governance there as a major obstacle to traditional diplomatic efforts.
US Vice President Vance had explicitly said, “Iran is a very difficult country to conduct diplomacy with, because it’s the only country in the world whose leader refuses to talk to the United States. Trump can pick up the phone and talk to Putin, he can pick up the phone and call Xi or Kim Jong Un—countries we have very hostile relations with. But we can’t talk to the leader of Iran, it’s bizarre.”
Reactions
In his reaction, Idris Ahmad, an international affairs analysts in Nigeria, said, “It’s possible because US doesn’t treat Iran as a sovereign nation and so her leadership has no respect and trust for US leadership.”
Taibat Atolagbe asked, “What has the previous talks gained? It has been of no benefit to the country. Dem no wan talk to Una!
“Una put JuJu for mout? All they ask is dey Una dey, dem Dey dey dia dey. Mutual respect!!!
How that one take hard Una?”
Abdul-Akeem Omotosho Sulaiman said, “Because everything about America is all about dominating in a wrong way and cheating countries.”
Opatokun Aderemi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran dictating the venue of the meeting to “mighty US” again.
“No more in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday but Muscat in Oman, where the negotiation was going on before the rogue state of Israel launched her unprovoked Israeli-Iranian war that killed more than twenty Iranian nuclear scientists
“Iranian even ordered the US to meet her MEDIATOR in Muscat before final negotiation in another unknown venue with them
“Iran don hold the USA blokoss!!!
“Now the mighty USA don’t know whether to pull out of the Persian gulf with their ARMANDA or to strike Iran and damn the consequences
“This is the hand of Almighty God!”
Russia seeks talks
The DEFENDER reports that the US vice president”s comment followed Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations that strongly rejected any military options against Iran, warning that such actions could destabilise the entire region, while stressing Moscow’s readiness to support diplomacy without imposing itself as a mediator.
Nebenzya spoke on Thursday February 5, 2026 stressing that the use of force against Iran by the West – the United States in particular – would have grave regional consequences and must be avoided.
“We hope that the United States and its allies will resort to wisdom and behave more constructively. Any military solutions are unacceptable, dangerous and may trigger regional consequences,” he told Russian journalists.
The Russian envoy added that pressure on the Islamic Republic intensified earlier this year, noting that “the campaign to ‘denigrate’ Iran continued with renewed vigor.”
The Russian envoy recalled that on January 15, “at the request of the United States, a Security Council meeting was organised and Western delegations’ statements predictably boiled down solely to accusations against Tehran.”
According to Nebenzya, Russia and other members redirected the debate, stressing that “the real threats to international peace and security come from … blatant threats to use force against Iran and interference in its internal affairs.”
Separately on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is not seeking a mediating role between Iran, Israel, and the United States, but remains deeply concerned by the risks of escalation.
“Right now, we are not imposing ourselves as mediators to Iran, Israel, or the United States. In our contacts with them, we are simply discussing the situation,” he said in an interview with RT, adding that Iran is “our close partner and neighbor” and that the situation is “explosive not only for Iran itself, but also for the entire Middle East.”
Russia’s top diplomat also emphasized, “The Iranians and Israelis know that we are ready to help implement any agreements, should they be reached.”
Lavrov’s comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States were scheduled to take place in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday morning.
US President Donald Trump had said on January 26 that a “massive armada” was heading toward Iran and urged Tehran to make a nuclear deal.
Five rounds of US-Iran nuclear talks in 2025 ended without agreement after Israel launched military aggression against Iran and the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to Iranian media reports, the negotiations would focus exclusively on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program and the lifting of sanctions, with no discussion of other issues.
Araghchi is expected to lead the Iranian delegation, which will include his deputies Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi. The US will be represented by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the reports.
