In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, he expressed hope that negotiations would eventually produce a settlement despite ongoing challenges.

Vance acknowledged that talks with Tehran had faced setbacks, attributing them to what he described as divisions within Iran’s leadership.

“The Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people,” he said, adding that Iran had “a fractured system” in which some wanted the conflict to end while others sought its continuation.

“Our job is to navigate through that and get the best outcome for the United States,” Vance said.

He said he remained optimistic about reaching a resolution, although he cautioned that the process would be “messy” and take time.

“We’ll land,” Vance said, predicting that oil prices would eventually decline and remain low.

Reiterating Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme, Vance said Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

“We’re going to use all the tools that we have — military, economic, diplomatic — to make sure we bring this thing to the right resolution,” he said.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz following recent military confrontations between the United States and Iran.