US Vice President JD Vance offered in a personal letter to meet Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to discuss a negotiated end to the war. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius first reported the offer, citing a US official. Istanbul or Doha could host the meeting if both sides agree to direct talks.
According to the US official, Vance wrote that Washington’s central interest is ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. He also called on Tehran to send representatives with the authority to negotiate nuclear issues. The Wall Street Journal, which first revealed the letter, reported that Vance sent it at President Trump’s direction.
The Trump administration sees Rezaei as the essential point of contact in Tehran and the only figure who could build consensus behind an agreement to halt Iran’s nuclear program. US intelligence believes Rezaei has spoken with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei since the letter arrived.
Iranian news agencies confirmed on Friday that Tehran received the letter but has not responded. Iranian leaders reportedly saw the direct approach as a sign of respect, but there is no indication they have changed their nuclear position.
The outreach comes as Washington weighs renewed military action, with US officials telling Gulf states to prepare for a short, intense campaign after the November 3 midterm elections.
