White House denies US plans to use nuclear weapons in Iran

The White House on Tuesday denied reports that the US is considering using nuclear weapons against Iran, dismissing claims that remarks by Vice President JD Vance had suggested this.

"Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this," the White House Rapid Response account posted on US social media company X.

The denial came after Vance warned Iran that the US has "tools in our toolkit that we so far haven't decided to use," saying US President Donald Trump would deploy them if Tehran does not change course.

Trump earlier warned that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again" — remarks that fueled speculation as his 8 pm Eastern Time (0000GMT Wednesday) deadline for Iran approaches.