Former Vice President Mike Pence said any agreement with Iran that leaves its nuclear or missile programs intact would be a bad deal [1].
Pence's remarks highlight a strict approach to diplomacy where total disarmament is prioritized over incremental agreements. This stance suggests that partial concessions from Tehran are insufficient to ensure regional stability, or protect U.S. national security interests.
Speaking during an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation" program on May 31, 2026, Pence said that "no deal is better than a bad deal" [1]. He said that the U.S. must ensure Iran's nuclear program is fully dismantled and its missile program is stopped before any agreement is reached [2].
Pence linked his position to the strategy of his former colleague, saying that President Trump made the right call to confront Iran [1]. However, he said that the U.S. cannot settle for a deal that leaves the regime's dangerous capabilities intact [1].
The former vice president said that the primary goal of any negotiation must be the complete removal of threats. He said that a flawed agreement could provide a false sense of security while allowing the Iranian regime to maintain its military advantages — a risk he believes outweighs the benefits of a diplomatic compromise.
Throughout the interview, Pence said that the only acceptable outcome is one that permanently neutralizes the threat posed by Iran's weapons programs [2]. He said that this rigorous standard is the only way to prevent future escalation in the region [1].
“No deal is better than a bad deal.”
Pence's comments reinforce a 'maximum pressure' philosophy in U.S. foreign policy. By rejecting any deal that does not include the total dismantling of nuclear and missile capabilities, he is advocating for a high-risk, high-reward strategy that prioritizes absolute disarmament over the managed containment often sought in international diplomacy.
