Washington, April 7 – The United States warned Iran that it could “inflict much greater pain” if it does not change course, with Vice President J D Vance saying, “the Iranians are now responsible.”
Speaking at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest, Vance indicated that the confrontation had reached a decisive stage, with the next move now dependent on Tehran’s response.
“We are confident that we can get a response, whether it is positive or negative,” he said, adding that Washington expects clarity from Iran “by 8 o’clock tonight.”
Vance said that US actions so far had been calibrated, including strikes on Iranian targets, while avoiding escalation to critical energy infrastructure.
“We will not target energy and infrastructure until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or do not make a proposal,” he said.
At the same time, he made clear that stronger options remain available if diplomacy fails.
“The President of the United States can decide to use them, and he will decide to use them if the Iranians do not change their course of conduct,” Vance said.
He framed the conflict in economic terms, accusing Iran of attempting to pressure global markets.
“Fundamentally, what Iran is trying to do… is to extract as much economic pain on the world as possible,” he said.
Vance said Washington’s objective was to prevent disruption to global energy flows.
“What we really want is… a world where oil and gas are flowing freely, where people can afford to heat their homes and cool their homes,” he said.
He also criticised European energy policy, calling it a “huge mistake” for leaders to cut themselves off from oil and natural gas supplies from the East, arguing that such decisions had weakened energy security.
“It’s funny… when I hear people accuse my president… of being pro-Russia,” he said, suggesting that stronger energy strategies would reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Orbán, speaking alongside him, warned that Europe was heading towards “the most serious energy crisis,” citing rising prices and risks of oil and gas shortages.
He stressed that cooperation with the United States remains critical to ensuring Hungary’s energy security amid mounting geopolitical tensions.