By Elsie Kamsiyochi
WASHINGTON, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has held private communications with Pakistani intermediaries about the ongoing conflict with Iran as recently as Tuesday, according to a source briefed on the discussions.
The outreach underscores Vance’s rapidly expanding role inside the Trump administration as it confronts the most volatile Middle East crisis of its term.
The source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the vice president conveyed several messages at President Donald Trump’s direction, including a signal that the United States would consider a ceasefire if Iran met a series of specific conditions. Chief among Washington’s demands was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil corridor that Iran partially closed as the conflict escalated.
Vance’s involvement reflects both the delicate diplomacy underway and his increasing influence in shaping Washington’s crisis response. The war, now in its fifth week, has upended regional politics, disrupted global energy flows, and sparked a flurry of high-level backchannel efforts to prevent further escalation.
A Firm Warning from Washington
According to the source, Vance also delivered what was described as a “stern message” to Tehran: President Trump was losing patience, and the window for diplomacy was narrowing. The vice president reportedly made clear that Iran faced mounting pressure — including potential strikes on key infrastructure — if it refused to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Trump has repeatedly threatened wide-ranging attacks on Iran’s power grid but has held back, setting an informal deadline of April 6 while diplomatic channels remain open. The administration hopes the pause will allow mediators, including Pakistan, to help broker an agreement.
Pakistan’s Role as an Intermediary
Pakistan has emerged as a crucial go-between as direct communication between Washington and Tehran remains limited. Islamabad maintains relations with both governments, allowing it to facilitate sensitive exchanges that neither side wants to conduct publicly.
The source emphasized that these conversations are ongoing and may intensify as the White House tries to avert a broader regional war.
Vance’s Rising Profile Amid 2028 Speculation
Vance’s involvement in the crisis comes at a pivotal moment for his political future. Seen as a leading contender to succeed Trump if he does not run in 2028, the vice president has approached the conflict cautiously, mirroring his long-standing skepticism of prolonged U.S. military interventions.
Yet his active role in war diplomacy marks one of the most significant foreign policy tests of his tenure, offering him increased visibility at home and abroad.
A Race Against Time
For now, the administration remains locked between the threat of escalation and the hope of a negotiated settlement. As the conflict grinds on, each day without a deal heightens uncertainty — for regional stability, global oil markets, and Washington’s diplomatic strategy.
Whether the outreach through Pakistan will succeed remains unclear. But with Trump’s deadline looming and tensions still rising, Vance’s quiet efforts may soon become central to determining whether the conflict slows — or enters an even more dangerous phase.
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