In response to recent media claims, the White House has dismissed reports suggesting that Iran prefers to negotiate with Vice President JD Vance due to his “anti-war” stance. Officials have labeled these reports as baseless and part of a “foreign propaganda campaign.”
On Tuesday, CNN published a report stating that Iranian officials had conveyed to the Trump administration their preference for Vice President Vance over Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in ongoing talks.
The report, authored by CNN’s Kylie Atwood, relied on information from two unnamed “regional sources” who indicated that Iran’s regime would rather engage with Vance. One source purportedly claimed, “The perception is that Vance would be intent on wrapping up the conflict.”
The New York Post echoed similar sentiments on Tuesday, suggesting that Vance is “quietly emerging as a key player in potential Iran talks” as Tehran expresses a desire to negotiate directly with him. This report also cited “sources familiar with discussions.”
According to the New York Post‘s Caitlin Doornbos and Emily Goodin, the insights from these sources portray Vance as a potential lead negotiator. Vance, known for his skepticism of foreign military engagements, is seen as having growing influence within the administration. Iranian officials reportedly view him as a different type of American representative in the negotiations.
“The behind-the-scenes insight positions Vance — long seen as a skeptic of foreign military entanglements — as a possible lead negotiator, reflecting both his growing clout inside the administration and a belief among Iranian officials that he represents a different kind of American interlocutor,” the New York Post‘s Caitlin Doornbos and Emily Goodin wrote.
“They want to deal with the vice president because he’s anti-war,” one of the outlet’s sources allegedly said.
Neither CNN nor the New York Post clarified if their sources were even Iranian or if they may or may not have a foreign interest in throwing dirt on U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Vance has backed Trump on the war with Iran, telling reporters earlier this month, “What the president said consistently, going back to 2015 — and I agreed with him — is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.”
“I trust President Trump can get the job done, to do a good job for the American people, and to make sure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated,” he added, referring to previous wars in the Middle East that were drawn out for decades.
When asked about rumors that Vance may take the lead on negotiations with Iran, Trump told reporters that Vance is “involved,” but emphasized that it remains a team effort:
“Well, he’s involved in them — JD is involved, and Marco’s involved, and Jared Kushner is involved, very smart guy, and Steve Witkoff, smart guy, is involved,” the president said. “And I’m involved.”
When contacted for comment on the claims about the Iranians wanting Vance as lead negotiator, a White House official told – News that “These stories are utterly false.”
“This obvious op sourced entirely to anonymous or ‘regional’ sources is clearly a coordinated foreign propaganda campaign meant to undermine the president,” the White House official stated.
Daily Caller editor and radio personality Vince Coglianese said CNN’s story seems like “foreign propaganda” in a post on X:
“This ‘Iran really wants to negotiate with JD Vance’ story smells like a gigantic, stinking pile of foreign propaganda,” Coglianese wrote. “‘Two regional sources’??? If you’ve been dealing with Kushner and Witkoff, you’re not going to JD VANCE for a lighter touch.”
“Just ask Zelensky,” he added, referring to the vice president’s no-nonsense approach to the Ukrainian president.
Republican strategist Andrew Surabian concurred, writing on X that “CNN fell for a coordinated foreign propaganda op meant to undermine President Trump, VP Vance and the entire Admin, as they engage in negotiations.”
The New York Post‘s Caitlin Doornbos later reframed her article’s point, writing, “It’s not that Iran thinks Vance would have a softer touch.”
“[I]t’s that they think Witkoff and Kushner didn’t understand what Iran was offering during talks that precipitated the bombings, a US source involved in mediation efforts told me,” she stated.
