President Trump has tasked Rand Paul with reducing tensions with Iran as Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visits the U.S. this week.
The Kentucky Republican senator pitched the president on being a back channel between the two countries during a round of golf this past weekend, Politico reported Wednesday.
Trump agreed to the idea after months of trying to start negotiations with Iran after his administration pulled out of the nuclear deal and imposed new sanctions on the country.
It wasn’t clear whether Paul would meet with Zarif, who is in New York City for United Nations meetings and private sit-downs with think tanks.
Paul has long been a critic of foreign intervention by the U.S. and has clashed with Trump administration officials over a possible military conflict with Iran, causing concern among administration officials that he could complicate the president’s “maximum pressure” campaign against the country.
Some Iranian officials have said they are open to talks with the U.S., but only after it removes sanctions.
