Summary

  • Our live coverage has now concluded

  • US Vice-President JD Vance has given a briefing at the White House and spent time taking questions from journalists

  • On Iran, Vance reiterates his "red line" that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon, and says neither Trump nor Tehran want the US military campaign to restart

  • "This is not a forever war," he says when asked about the length of the conflict

  • Vance is hosting the briefing as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is still on maternity leave

  • Two weeks ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stood in for Leavitt

Live Reporting

Edited by Oliver O'Connell and Caitlin Doherty, with Sarah Smith at the White House

  1. Vance speaking to the press now

    Vance walks past a TV screen announcing today's briefingReuters

    Vice President JD Vance is at the podium in the White House briefing room.

    We will bring you live updates on his remarks, and remember you can also watch live at the top of the page.

  2. JD Vance to face the press - as he jostles for position

    Sarah Smith
    North America editor

    JD VanceReuters

    The briefing room is filling up waiting for Vice-President JD Vance to appear.

    Earlier in May, we had Secretary of State Marco Rubio covering Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s maternity leave.

    This week it’s the vice-president.

    These are the two men who are viewed as the most likely possible Republican candidates to run for president in 2028.

    Donald Trump often teases them about this and never declares which one he wants to succeed him. He clearly enjoys fostering the rivalry between them.

    When Rubio was at the podium he was very relaxed and jovial with the press. He also managed to deliver a couple of soundbites that sounded like they were straight out of a presidential campaign speech.

    "My hope for America is what it’s always been," he said on 5 May. "I think it’s the hope I hope we all share. We want it to continue to be the place where anyone from anywhere can achieve anything."

    Marco Rubio gestures to press holding their hand up in the White House briefing roomReuters

    Already they have been turned into social media clips that look like a political advert.

    No wonder JD Vance now wants his turn in the briefing room.

    We will see if he too is in campaign mode already. Will he be able to signal his scepticism about the war in Iran (which could be popular with voters) without angering the president?

    The last time Vance was here was after protesters in Minneapolis had been shot. He was very combative then. Will there be fireworks again today?