“We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation,” Vance told reporters before take-off from Joint Base Andrews outside Washington.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand.

“If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

Washington and Tehran have agreed to a two-week truce after more than five weeks of war.

However, they remain far apart in their public announcements of goals in the peace talks, in which Vance will head the US delegation.

Key sticking points include Iran’s de facto control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, US demands that Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and Iran’s aim to prevent further US and Israeli attacks.