WorldPosted at: Nov 12 2026 3:32PM


JD Vance weighs direct talks with Iranian official as Trump administration seeks to end war WSJ

Washington, Nov 12 (UNI) US Vice President JD Vance is considering to hold direct talks with a senior Iranian security official as the Trump administration explores fresh diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict with Tehran as the American voters handed Democrats control of both the US House and Senate in the midterm elections.
President Trump is in favour of Vance to take the lead in renewed diplomatic engagement with Iran and negotiate, according to a report by Wall Street Journal citing officials from US and Middle East.
It appears Trump administration wants to end the war before the new Congress convenes in January as unified Republican government will give way to divided government for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
Currently, the discussions are at an early stage, with no date finalised for a possible meeting. However, the two sides have been communicating through regional mediators and allied countries to explore the possibility of restarting negotiations.
According to WSJ, Vance sent a letter in October to Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian security official and secretary-general of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, requesting a meeting. Rezaei, however, said on Tuesday that no meeting with the US Vice President had been scheduled.
Vance's growing involvement marks a shift in Washington's diplomatic approach, with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly taking a secondary role in the latest efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Taking charge of negotiations with Tehran carries significant political implications for Vance. A successful diplomatic breakthrough could strengthen his position by helping bring an end to the conflict, while a failed initiative could leave him facing domestic political criticism.
Vance has publicly linked the Iran war to the Republican Party's disappointing performance in the recent midterm elections, describing the conflict as an electoral liability. His position contrasts with that of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who have defended Trump's military campaign against Iran.
Already the officials in the Trump administration have raised questions over the June memorandum of understanding, which Vance had helped negotiate as they argued that it gave Tehran time to rebuild its capabilities and generate revenue through oil exports before Washington imposed a naval blockade.
A White House spokesperson rejected suggestions that Trump regretted the agreement, maintaining that the negotiating team had acted in good faith.
To revive negotiations, Iran has demanded the lifting of the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and relief from oil sanctions.
Moreover, Iranians are viewing the Republican setback in the midterm elections as an opportunity to seek better terms from Washington.
Marco Rubio described Tehran's demands as unrealistic but said the United States remained prepared for diplomacy if Iran changed its position.
Regional mediators have also proposed confidence-building measures, including a possible US naval pullback and easing restrictions on Iranian ports. In return, Iran could allow 25 oil tankers to pass through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle Eastern officials cited by the Journal.
However, Iranian diplomats remain sceptical about the prospects of an agreement, amid concerns that Washington could resume military action. Previous diplomatic efforts were also disrupted by US and Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reportedly favour maintaining economic and naval pressure on Tehran until it agrees to Washington's demands.
Rubio said on Tuesday that the economic pressure campaign was having a significant impact on the Iranian government, adding that the US military remained prepared to respond if Tehran crossed American red lines.
Ending the Iran war is the most challenging assignment of Vance's vice-presidency so far: one with a limited upside and plenty to lose if negotiations fail.UNI AAB
Tags: #JD Vance weighs direct talks with Iranian official as Trump administration seeks to end war WSJ
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