President Donald Trump has instructed Vice President JD Vance to abandon diplomatic efforts with Iran and redirect his full attention toward investigating alleged corruption in Democratic-led states and cities, marking a major shift in the administration’s priorities.
In a series of Truth Social posts early Thursday, Trump indicated that the White House was no longer pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed,” Trump wrote, adding that the United States had secured Iran’s money and control of the Strait.
The announcement unsettled financial markets, with oil prices rising and stocks declining amid renewed uncertainty over the conflict, according to Axios.
The directive represents a significant change in Vance’s responsibilities. For months, the vice president had led U.S. negotiating efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and restarting nuclear talks with Iran. Just days earlier, he had reportedly been considering direct discussions with senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei.
The decision also comes amid growing public disagreement between Trump and Vance over the political consequences of the Iran war. Following the Republican Party’s losses in the November midterm elections, Vance publicly blamed the conflict and its impact on the cost of living for the party’s defeat.
“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote on X last week, arguing that the military campaign had come at a significant political cost, including the loss of Republican control of the Senate.
Trump, however, has defended the military operation, maintaining that it was necessary and that he would not have handled the situation differently.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also recently indicated to G7 counterparts in Paris that the administration had decided against resuming military operations or pursuing a diplomatic agreement, opting instead to isolate the Iranian regime, according to Axios.
Under Trump’s latest directive, Vance will concentrate on chairing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, established by executive order earlier this year.
“I have asked Vice President Vance to focus his complete and total attention on the Massive Corruption and Crime taking place in Democrat run Cities and States throughout the U.S.,” Trump wrote.
He specifically named Minnesota, California and Illinois, accusing Democratic-led governments of widespread corruption and claiming that billions of dollars were being stolen.
Trump argued that addressing the alleged fraud could help balance the federal budget, while accusing Democratic leaders of allowing corruption to flourish.
The president’s comments come as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress following the midterm elections. Incoming House Oversight Committee Chairman Robert Garcia has also warned administration officials and corporate executives to prepare for investigations into Trump’s business dealings and immigration enforcement.
Trump’s latest statements signal a shift away from diplomatic engagement with Iran toward domestic investigations, placing Vance at the center of the administration’s new political and anti-fraud agenda.
