Axios: Vance proposes return to direct talks with Iran; technical meeting eyed

According to two sources who spoke to Axios, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has been meeting almost daily for about two weeks with mediators, including Qatar’s prime minister and Pakistan’s army chief, and proposed returning to direct negotiations with Tehran.

Axios reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance has been directing behind the scenes a diplomatic effort to secure a new ceasefire with Iran and restart nuclear negotiations. According to two sources who spoke to Axios, Vance has been meeting almost daily with mediators for about two weeks.

Those Vance has contacted include Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The discussions included holding a technical meeting at the working level between Washington and Tehran in the coming days, but no such meeting has taken place yet.

Axios reported that two weeks ago Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, proposing a return to direct negotiations. Iranian officials said the letter had created positive momentum. U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are also involved in the effort. The White House has not officially confirmed the details.

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Qalibaf (2026)

Trump said Friday that a “small-scale” strike had been carried out against an air-defense element on Iran’s Qeshm Island, while confirming that talks with Tehran were taking place and that they had made “a lot of progress.” Trump also spoke by phone that day with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Vance had identified the war with Iran as the main reason Republicans lost the midterm elections.

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