JD Vance: “The One Who Runs Iran” Was Present at Negotiations

JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, said that during recent negotiations with Iran, the person who “effectively runs Iran” was present, in an apparent reference to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Speaking at the University of Georgia, Vance described the meeting between U.S. and Iranian delegations in Islamabad as unprecedented, adding that such direct engagement had not taken place under previous Democratic or Republican administrations.

Talking about the American delegation, which included himself, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Vance said the President had directed them to move forward in “good faith.” He noted that the tone of the discussions suggested Iran was open to reaching an agreement, even though the talks ultimately did not lead to a full resolution.

The Vice President said he was satisfied with the current direction, stating, “I feel very good about where things stand.” At the same time, he pointed out that the Iranian delegation, led by Ghalibaf, was “not flexible enough” and added that “the ball is now in Tehran’s court.”

His remarks come after the talks broke down, followed by the United States launching a new naval blockade against Iran on April 13. The move is aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz unconditionally and has sharply increased tensions in the region. Despite the ongoing standoff, there are still indications that negotiations could resume.