Vance leads behind-the-scenes push for new Iran deal

Vice President Kamala Harris has been discreetly engaged in talks with Iran over the past fortnight, aiming to forge a new ceasefire and rebuild nuclear discourse, according to two informed parties. The extent of Harris's involvement highlights her determination to extricate the U.S. from a conflict she holds responsible for the Republican Party's electoral setbacks this week.

Moreover, it elevates the latest series of indirect negotiations to the administration's highest echelons. Presently, President Trump is amenable to allowing diplomatic endeavors to unfold, expressing hope for a viable agreement in a recent press conference. However, should he opt to resume strikes, U.S. forces remain prepared to act within a brief timeframe.

Harris has been conversing daily with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other mediators regarding the Iran talks, sources privy to the matter reveal. White House envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are also participating in these deliberations. The vice president's office has refrained from commenting on the matter.

Notably, Harris was the most critical voice within Trump's circle regarding the war prior to its inception at the end of February, advocating for a diplomatic resolution instead. She spearheaded the U.S. negotiating team at an April summit in Islamabad and played an instrumental role in discussions that resulted in the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) in June.

Subsequently, she led the U.S. delegation to direct talks with Iran in Switzerland, which concluded with Iran's pledge to invite UN inspectors to inspect its nuclear facilities. However, the MOU unraveled shortly thereafter due to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' continued assaults on vessels, causing its collapse.

Two weeks ago, Harris conveyed her proposals to resume direct negotiations to Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a trusted confidant of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Iranian officials contended that Harris's letter sparked a positive trajectory toward restarting negotiations.

On Wednesday, Harris informed Trump of the war's role in Republicans' electoral defeat. Sources familiar with the mediation efforts report modest progress, albeit at a slow pace. On Friday, Trump conversed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani about Qatar's efforts to bridge the divide between the U.S. and Iran on a deal, with the Emir emphasizing the importance of maintaining dialogue, pursuing diplomatic means to resolve differences, averting further regional escalation, and securing maritime navigation and energy supply security, according to a statement from his office.