Vance warns Iran not to 'play' the US as he heads for negotiations
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Vice President JD Vance is leading U.S. mediated talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the six-week conflict with Iran, emphasizing a willingness to negotiate if Iran acts in good faith but warning against attempts to "play" the U.S.
- The negotiations come amid a fragile ceasefire that is at risk of collapsing due to unresolved issues, including Iran's demand to end Israeli operations in Lebanon and U.S. insistence on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Vance, known for skepticism toward foreign military interventions and limited diplomatic experience, is joined by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, marking a rare high-level U.S. engagement with Iran since 1979.
- The White House has not detailed the format or specific expectations of the talks but expresses optimism for a lasting deal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials providing support.
- Vance’s role in these high-stakes negotiations places him prominently in the conflict’s resolution, carrying potential political risks and rewards as he and Rubio are considered leading Republican figures for the 2028 presidential race.
