【What's Vance’s Agenda in Negotiating on Trump’s Behalf?】The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, more specifically put, is a war between Trump and Netanyahu against Iran.
Vance leading the delegation to negotiate with Iran represents not only the United States but also Trump’s interests. For Vance, this is both his defining moment in politics and an extremely difficult mission.
This task will test his long-standing stance of avoiding war with Iran and advocating diplomatic solutions—provided he fully grasps Trump’s intentions, never strays off course, and successfully executes what Trump wants, thereby clearing up the aftermath. This could serve as a stepping stone for Vance’s potential 2028 presidential run.
Vance is the common denominator between Trump and Iran.
Iran has specifically named Vance, placing hope in him. Vance’s position opposes prolonged U.S. overseas wars; even if later aligning with the White House, his core views likely remain unchanged. To Iran, negotiating with Vance would be easier to justify domestically than dealing with Witkoff or Kushner.
Iran also has another calculation: Vance might become the next U.S. president. If he negotiates peace, it won’t come back to haunt him later.
In contrast, hawkish figures like Rubio and Hegseth are sidelined. Witkoff and Kushner, both Jewish, would be seen by Iranians as representing Israeli interests.
Considering that even American Jewish voters are growing increasingly disenchanted with war, and given the anti-war sentiment within MAGA’s base, Trump taking on the negotiation ball indirectly shows his desire to seek a way out. Otherwise, he might have chosen Rubio or Kushner to keep clashing with Iran.
It’s reportedly said that Witkoff himself actively recommended Vance: “If you can do it, go ahead.” If even Vance fails, then peace and ceasefire seem hopeless.
It feels like everything hinges on Vance now.
If Vance is pursuing long-term political strategy, he must carefully balance personal ambition with the president’s demands.
Reports indicate Trump once privately asked for opinions: Should it be Vance or Rubio?
The two represent two starkly different factions within the team: one cautious about deep military involvement, emphasizing avoidance of protracted external conflicts—positions closer to anti-war voters; the other, clearly hawkish.
Yet when it comes to reading Trump’s mind, both ultimately arrive at the same destination.
Whether Vance or Rubio—both are Trump’s white gloves.
A Fox host supportive of Trump suggested that when Vance meets with the Iranian delegation, he could first listen to Iran’s nonsense, then exit the room. Then Trump announces the cancellation of the ceasefire agreement, triggering renewed market panic, soaring oil prices, and making the entire world see Iran as irrational—ensuring global resentment toward Iran.
Now it’s all about Vance’s performance timing: too much or too little, and the reckoning will be tough. Truly a technical challenge.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862060032186375/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.