US Vice President JD Vance is on standby to participate in sensitive negotiations with Iran should the ongoing backchannel discussions advance to a direct meeting with Iranian officials. Currently, the talks are led by Steve Witkoff, the president’s special envoy, alongside Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. However, Vance could be brought in if significant progress is made, highlighting the White House’s efforts to find a resolution to the conflict.
In a notable development, President Donald Trump hinted at Vance’s potential involvement on Monday, underscoring the administration’s search for a diplomatic solution to end the war. This possibility arises amid heightened tensions, with Trump threatening to reduce Iran to the “stone ages” if its leaders fail to comply with his demands by Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed unprecedented military strikes against Iran in the coming days, reflecting the administration’s dual approach of diplomacy backed by the threat of force. Vance has largely remained behind the scenes throughout the crisis, in contrast to officials like Hegseth who have frequently briefed the media on military operations.
Notably, Vance has maintained discreet communication with intermediaries. On Sunday night, he engaged with Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir as Islamabad prepared to propose a potential 45-day ceasefire, signaling Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the conflict. This move adds to the growing list of countries involved in efforts to broker peace between the two nations.
President Trump confirmed Vance’s participation in the negotiations during a Monday briefing, reiterating the deadline set for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “We are dealing with them. Essentially, they have until 8 o’clock tomorrow night eastern time. But we are dealing with them. I think it’s going well. Mr. Witkoff’s here. JD is involved in the dealing,” Trump stated, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to resolving the crisis diplomatically while preparing for potential escalation.
