Iranian representatives have informed the Trump administration that they do not intend to resume negotiations with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff or President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, but instead prefer to talk with Vice President J.D. Vance, two local sources said.
The message, which was conveyed to the United States through back channels, indicates that Iran believes talks involving Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner are not productive, given the lack of trust caused by the breakdown in negotiations before Israel and the United States launched military action.
Mr. Vance is seen as more sympathetic to the idea of ending the war, in contrast to Mr. Witkoff, Mr. Kushner and even Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the people said.
“The understanding is that Mr. Vance intends to end the conflict,” one of the people said.
But regional stakeholders also acknowledge that Vance’s involvement in negotiations could be risky, as negotiations to end the conflict will not be easy.
Witkoff, in particular, remains heavily involved in the U.S. portfolio, and sources say Iran will likely have no choice but to engage with whoever the Trump administration sends to negotiate.
“The Iranian side has to deal with who the regime sends, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have priority,” the second official said.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told CNN that it is President Trump’s mission to negotiate on behalf of the United States. “As the president said today, Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff and Mr. Kushner will all be involved,” Levitt said.
For now, it remains possible that a U.S.-Iranian meeting will take place in Islamabad later this week, but even those who support it are skeptical it will actually happen, the people said.
