U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke on Monday.

He said Washington has had "a number of good conversations with the Iranians."

He said he and President Donald Trump both feel "pretty good."

They feel good about the chances of a negotiated settlement.

Vance spoke after sending a letter to Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei.

He sent it last week.

The White House has given few details about the letter.

The talks are happening during the war.

The war is 8 months old.

Israel and some Middle East allies are pressing Trump on the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants another wave of strikes on Iran.

He wants this after Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections.

Two regional officials and a third person said this.

One official said Trump does not appear to have made a decision.

A person knew about a weekend call.

This person said Netanyahu pressed for strikes.

But Trump would not commit to military action.

The two officials said Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks with Iranian officials.

They held them last week.

More talks are planned this week.

The mediators are trying to build a framework.

In it, Iran stops attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

In return, the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iran's ports.

Other U.S. allies in the region warn about more strikes.

They say more strikes would destabilize the region.

They say it could lead Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen to step up attacks.

These attacks would be on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping.

Vance said the administration's main concern is Iran's nuclear program.

He said Iran must make a firm and verifiable commitment.

Iran must not rebuild its nuclear program.

Iran's new supreme leader is Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

He said the response to any threat from the U.S. or Israel should be immediate.

He said it should be without "geographic limits."

Rezaei told state television that "the tone has completely changed" from the U.S.

He called it a "very good sign."

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday.

Diplomatic efforts showed signs of progress.