JD Vance claims US ‘very close’ to peace deal with Iran

Vice-president says deal could ‘absolutely’ come before midterms, as US strikes Iran after downing of helicopter

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The US-Israel war on Iran could conclude in a week or a few months, vice-president JD Vance has said, as the downing of a US army helicopter sparked the latest flare-up in the conflict.

In the latest vague assessment from the Trump administration on the future of its controversial war, Vance claimed the US is “very close to achieving” a peace deal with Iran, adding that it could “absolutely” come before the midterm elections.