US Vice President JD Vance is emerging as a central figure in Washington’s diplomatic approach to the Iran conflict, with reports indicating that he is playing a leading role in shaping potential negotiations. His involvement spans direct coordination with Israeli leadership, engagement with Gulf partners, and participation in indirect backchannel communications with Iranian interlocutors. However, his rise within the negotiation track appears to be accompanied by emerging tensions with sections of the Israeli establishment. According to reports, Vance has questioned several pre-war assumptions, particularly regarding expectations of internal instability in Iran. These concerns reportedly surfaced during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding strain to an already sensitive relationship. Within Washington, officials view Vance as a credible interlocutor for Tehran, partly due to his earlier skepticism toward prolonged military engagement. At the same time, there are indications that narratives portraying him as overly conciliatory may be circulating in the political space, raising questions about internal dynamics and messaging.