Trump expected to ask Middle East envoy Witkoff to handle Iran diplomacy
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WItkoff with Trump at the White House. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty
President Trump is expected to give his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff responsibility over Iran diplomacy, according to two U.S. officials and two other sources with knowledge of the issue.
Why it matters: Trump's intention to give the Iran file to Witkoff, the close confidant he tasked with pushing for a historic peace deal in the Middle East, signals that the president wants to try and get a new nuclear deal with Iran before considering other options, like military strikes.
- Witkoff already helped secure a diplomatic win for Trump when he was involved in the final push for the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. Israeli and Qatari officials said Witkoff's involvement was critical for concluding the deal.
Update: Trump was asked during an Oval Office event whether he would pick Witkoff for the role, and whether he'd ask Witkoff to speak directly to the Iranians.
- He said "no," seemingly to the latter question about direct talks, while adding that Witkoff was "certainly someone I would use" and strongly praising his work on Gaza.
- Trump also said he hopes a deal can be reached with Iran on its nuclear program.
- When asked if he would support an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, he said: "Hopefully that could be worked out without having to worry about it. It'd be nice. It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step."
State of play: The sources told Axios Trump hadn't made an official decision yet, but was heading toward picking Witkoff.
- The Financial Times first reported first about Witkoff's expanding portfolio.
What they're saying: In an interview with Fox News two weeks ago, Witkoff said Trump wants to try and get a deal with Iran.
- "The president will not allow a bomb to be gotten by the Iranians. Not going to happen. We're not going to that place... hopefully, we can solve it diplomatically."
- "And the president is all about solving it diplomatically, if that's possible, and if people are going to adhere to their agreements. But, if not, then the alternative is not necessarily a good one," Witkoff said.
State of play: Senior diplomats from France, Germany, the UK and the EU met with their Iranian counterparts in Geneva 10 days ago and discussed the Iranian nuclear program.
- European diplomats told Axios the Iranians made clear in the talks that they want to resume negotiations on a new nuclear deal that will be different from the 2015 agreement from which Trump withdrew in 2018.
- The Iranians asked the Europeans to convey this message to Washington and stressed they are waiting for a U.S. plan or proposal, a European diplomat told Axios.
- The diplomat said that the European response was that it's up to Iran to put a proposal on the table that will include more concessions on the nuclear issue.
Editor's note: This story was updated following Trump's comments in the Oval Office.
