In the Middle East, Vance speaks softly, but Rubio carries a big stick

At the end of the first week of the 60-day ceasefire enacted by the memorandum of understanding, the Trump administration has gained some wins and taken some losses while continuing to negotiate with the Iranian delegation. Both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio play important, though different, roles in the process.

President Donald Trump initially tapped Vance to lead the American envoy to Switzerland, even joking on June 17 that “this way, if it works out, I’m going to take the credit. If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD. You better be careful, JD.”