Rubio takes behind-the-scenes role on Iran war while keeping his options open for the future

WASHINGTON — The talks to end the Iran war had hit a snag.

Vice President JD Vance had flown to Pakistan for negotiations with the Iranians, a sign that the two sides had narrowed their differences and the White House might be poised to announce a breakthrough.

As the marathon April meeting unfolded, though, U.S. negotiators began to worry: It looked like the Iranians were changing the terms of a potential deal. So, during a pause, they phoned Secretary of State Marco Rubio to get a “steer” on what they should do next, an administration official with direct knowledge of the matter said in an interview.

Rubio agreed that they couldn’t accept Iran’s offer, the official said. There would be no deal.

Rubio isn’t the face of the Iran negotiations. He’s kept a discreet public distance as the unpopular war grinds on. Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and the president’s longtime friend and special envoy Steve Witkoff are the main protagonists in the push to end both the Iran and Russia-Ukraine conflicts.

The arrangement is an unusual one. Past secretaries of state commanded the spotlight when it came to war and peace. Henry Kissinger won a Nobel Peace Prize in…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business