US Vice President JD Vance is considering face-to-face talks with Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei as he takes a leading role in efforts to end the war, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing US and Middle Eastern officials and people familiar with the negotiations.
President Donald Trump has told senior aides and foreign counterparts that he is open to Vance restarting negotiations with Tehran and has authorised him to negotiate, according to the report.
Vance sent Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, a letter in October requesting a meeting, but no date has been set.
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Possible venue for Vance-Rezaei talks: Doha
Doha is being considered as a possible venue, the Journal reported.
The diplomatic effort faces significant obstacles, with Iranian officials demanding that Washington lift its naval blockade, release frozen assets and ease oil sanctions before talks resume.
Mediators have proposed moving US aircraft carriers farther away to reduce the risk of major strikes and easing the blockade on Iranian ports.
In exchange, Iran would allow 25 tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle Eastern officials cited by the Journal.
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