As Vice President JD Vance entered the fifth hour of negotiations with Iranian leaders over the weekend, President Trump issued a threat about renewed bombing if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting negotiators might not return home.
Vance described Trump’s comment as another disruption in his role as the face of U.S. talks with Iran, highlighting the challenges of managing the president’s unpredictable statements while pursuing peace.
Vance said the first round of talks had laid a successful foundation for peace and that both sides have signed a memorandum to end hostilities, aiming for a lasting nuclear deal within 60 days. He acknowledged the political stakes, noting Trump’s willingness to credit or blame him for the outcome.
Trump publicly said he would take credit if the deal succeeded but would blame Vance if it failed, a stance Vance called a joke, though analysts warned Vance faces a risky political position.
Senior fellow Karim Sadjadpour noted Vance could be rewarded for ending an unpopular war or portrayed as responsible for a humiliating concession, especially given the need to work with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. He added that the situation is particularly delicate for an aspiring president.
Public opinion shows Americans want an end to fighting and lower energy costs, but they also care about how wars conclude, as seen after the Afghanistan withdrawal. Sadjadpour emphasized that Americans dislike wars even more than defeats.
After Vance’s Swiss meetings, Iran agreed to invite U.N. nuclear inspectors, but Iranian officials said they made no new commitments. A proposed Qatar‑backed funding scheme to purchase U.S. agricultural products was rejected by Tehran, which prefers using funds for infrastructure rebuilding.
Conflicting public statements from both sides aim to satisfy domestic audiences while negotiating an end to the conflict. Vance urged media caution regarding Iranian social‑media narratives, insisting progress is being made.
Vance’s tone contrasted with his previous Pakistan meeting, where he reported limited progress. Meanwhile, Trump has been evaluating Vance’s presidential viability, comparing him to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is traveling to the Gulf to discuss the Iran deal with allies. Trump praised both officials’ performances.
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