A US think tank flags a shift within Iran’s leadership, with hardliners gaining influence just as diplomatic engagement with Washington gathers pace through mediated talks in Islamabad.
US signals fresh diplomatic push with Iran after stalled talks, as mistrust lingers but backchannel engagement continues and a second round of negotiations remains under consideration.
A proposed US roadmap to de-escalate tensions with Iran includes nuclear rollbacks, sanctions relief and a temporary ceasefire, but Israel remains uneasy about the direction of talks.
Tehran’s preference for JD Vance highlights shifting dynamics within US diplomacy, even as Washington insists multiple officials remain involved in efforts to revive stalled negotiations.
Mediators from multiple countries remain sceptical of a quick deal, with the United States and Iran still far apart on Tehran's nuclear programme and security guarantees, and no venue for direct talks yet confirmed despite early discussions about neutral meetings in Pakistan or Turkey.
In addition to the pardon for Charles Kushner, Trump also pardoned his 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort and longtime ally Roger Stone, the White House said in a statement.
A US-brokered agreement between the Jewish state and Dubai to normalise ties was announced on August 13, making the UAE the first Gulf country and only the third Arab nation to establish relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.
The Security Council will also hold a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on February 11, said the ambassador.
The council has been approached informally with a request of organizing a meeting with Abbas.
Kushner is accompanied by his close aide Avi Berkowitz and by Brian Hook, a State Department official who is mainly responsible for America's Iran policy.
