US-Iran Talks: Vice President Vance May Join If Backchannel Negotiations Advance

Washington: US Vice President J.D. Vance has been placed on standby to participate in sensitive negotiations with Iran. Vance will take charge if backchannel talks escalate to direct meetings with Iranian officials. Currently, these talks are being led by president's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. 

Consequently, speculation is rife about whether a ceasefire will be announced today.

Will Vance participate?

US Vice President J.D. Vance could participate in if Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner make sufficient progress, according to sources. 

At present it is not clear what proposals or conditions can be put forward by Iran in return for this dialogue.

US is carrying out this entire process with utmost confidentiality, so that a situation for direct communication can be created.

What will happen if there is no agreement?

Negotiators hold little hope that Iran will yield to President Trump's demand to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before Tuesday night's deadline. Failure to do so would open the door for the US to escalate the conflict by targeting Iranian bridges and power plants.

During his second term, Trump twice set deadlines for a deal with Iran. He threatened to bomb Iran if its leaders refused to comply, and then he actually took military action.

What if Vance participate?

According to Politico, citing sources, US Vice President JD Vance would participate in potential direct talks with Iranian representatives if ongoing contacts through mediators progress to direct negotiations.

The report, citing sources, claimed, "Vance is ready. If backchannel talks escalate to a direct meeting with Iranian officials, he is prepared to engage in sensitive discussions with Iran."

Currently Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are involved in the talks with Iran, but if these two move forward, Vance could be included.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had said that talks were underway between Washington and Tehran, which also included Vance and Witkoff.

The United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran on February 28. Major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were attacked. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced retaliatory strikes, targeting targets in Israel. US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were also attacked.