NYT: Iran could be more receptive to US VP Vance in upcoming talks

The Iranian delegation could be more receptive to US Vice President J.D. Vance in upcoming negotiations to resolve the conflict, The New York Times reports, citing analysts.

According to the newspaper, including Vance in the US negotiating team marks a significant shift in President Donald Trump’s diplomatic approach.

“It was Mr. Witkoff [Trump’s special envoy] and Mr. Kushner [Trump’s son-in-law] who led two previous rounds of talks with Iranian officials over the country’s nuclear program, one last spring and one in late February. 

Analysts said that Iran likely views them with profound skepticism given that Mr. Trump launched attacks after both, including on the day before the United States joined Israel in opening the latest conflict with a massive airstrike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and several other senior officials,” the newspaper added.

Experts noted that Iranians may view Vance more favorably, as he has long been skeptical of “American military action.” 

The report highlighted that before taking office, Vance publicly stated it would be “foolish to start a war with Iran” and expressed doubts when Trump debated initiating a military operation.

Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Vance has played a “very significant and key role” in negotiations with Iran from the start, describing him as the “right hand” of the US leader.

By Jeyhun Aghazada