American Vice President JD Vance has been tasked by Donald Trump with turning the fragile ceasefire with Iran into a lasting peace agreement.
His visit to Pakistan (in Islamabad) marks an important moment for Vance, who has maintained a certain distance during the conflict in the Middle East so far, but is considered one of the potential candidates for the US presidential elections in 2028.
The negotiations, scheduled to begin on Saturday in Islamabad, are considered extremely challenging, with experts pointing out that it is rare for an American Vice President to formally lead such diplomatic discussions. Analysts cited by The Guardian say the situation is "high-risk, high-reward."
JD Vance has built his political image as a supporter of non-interventionist policies, criticizing US involvement in new foreign conflicts.
This stance has created tensions in the context of the war with Iran, especially after Donald Trump launched the military offensive.
According to the American press, Vance had previously expressed reservations about military action, warning that it could destabilize the region and could divide Trump's political coalition.
However, he is now in the position of the White House's chief negotiator for a possible agreement with Iran.
The delegation also includes special envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Jared Kushner, advisor and son-in-law of the president.
Some political sources suggest that Vance's choice could be strategic, as Iran might perceive him as a more favorable interlocutor for negotiations, considering his critical positions on American military interventions.
However, the stakes are high: a failure in the negotiations could raise questions about his leadership ability, at a time when internal competition for 2028, including from Marco Rubio, is already taking shape.