Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed suggestions Thursday that Vice President JD Vance is overshadowing him in the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran, calling the premise of the question “silly.”
Speaking with reporters in Bahrain, Rubio was asked whether he wanted a more direct role in the talks rather than having Vice President Vance take the lead.
Rubio immediately rejected the characterization.
“That’s just a silly analysis,” Rubio said. “I’m here, I’ve been here for three days.”
Rubio said the administration’s diplomatic efforts involve multiple senior officials working toward the same objective.
He emphasized that Vance’s prominent role reflects the importance President Donald Trump places on reaching an agreement with Iran rather than any division of responsibilities.
“The vice president is the second ranking person in our government,” Rubio said. “It just shows you how seriously we take that endeavor.”
“And we have a team of people that do work,” he added.
Rubio reiterated that administration officials each have different responsibilities throughout the negotiations.
“We all have a role to play in this regard,” he said. “I think that’s a really silly question.”
“The vice president of the United States, other than the president, is the second most powerful person in our government. The fact that he’s directly involved in this tells you the importance that our administration is giving to this topic. So I think it’s a very positive thing that he’s involved in it,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s comments come as the United States continues diplomatic efforts with Iran following an interim understanding reached earlier between Washington and Tehran.
Under that framework, negotiators have been working through technical and high-level discussions covering Iran’s nuclear program, regional de-escalation efforts and maritime security issues, including transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Vice President Vance played a central role in the latest round of negotiations, participating in high-level meetings last weekend with Iranian officials and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan at the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland.
Following those meetings, Vance said negotiators had established a roadmap aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement within 60 days.
According to Vance, the talks produced progress on several issues, including a preliminary understanding regarding the return of international nuclear inspectors to Iranian nuclear facilities.
He also said negotiators made progress on creating coordination mechanisms intended to reduce tensions related to Lebanon.
The administration has described the ongoing negotiations as part of a broader effort to reduce regional instability while addressing concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities.
Rubio’s remarks sought to underscore that multiple senior administration officials are involved in the diplomatic process rather than competing for influence.
The negotiations remain ongoing as the administration works toward a permanent agreement before the current 60-day framework expires.
In a significant victory for President Donald Trump’s tough-but-smart diplomacy, Iran has agreed to allow U.S. inspectors to join International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) teams at its heavily damaged nuclear sites.
The president called into Fox News on Wednesday and announced the news as both the U.S. and Iran work toward a more permanent peace deal.
The breakthrough comes amid ongoing negotiations to finalize a comprehensive agreement ending hostilities, reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping, and ensuring Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.
Trump, speaking directly to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, left no doubt about the progress.
“They’ve agreed to it, they’ve agreed to the inspectors,” Trump said.
The president also emphasized that American experts would have full access alongside the IAEA, calling it essential for “nuclear honesty long into the future (Infinity!!!).”
