CNN: Iran prefers Vance, not Witkoff or Kushner — what that means for negotiations and for Ukraine
Tehran informed Washington of its unwillingness to hold talks through Witkoff and Kushner; attention now shifts to J.D. Vance — this could change the dynamics of negotiations, affect the region’s energy sector, and open opportunities for Ukraine’s defense industry.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
March 25, 2026 · 2 min read
What happened
According to CNN, citing two unnamed sources, Iran signaled to the U.S. that talks involving special envoy Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Tehran are being viewed as unproductive. The Iranians reportedly would prefer contacts with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance.
"It gives the impression that Vance intends to end the conflict"
— an unnamed CNN source
Why it matters
The reason for the choice is not only a matter of personal preference. According to sources, Iran is orienting itself toward whoever it believes can seriously advance a ceasefire. This is a signal of a deficit of trust after the collapse of previous talks and of Tehran’s pragmatic approach to the negotiation process.
U.S. position: who is leading the dialogue?
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt told CNN that the final decision on who will represent the U.S. in the talks will be made by the president. At the same time, even if Vance is more acceptable to the Iranian side, Washington still has several figures involved in the process.
"As the president said today, Vice President Vance, the Secretary of State, Special Envoy Witkoff and Mr. Kushner will participate"
— Caroline Leavitt, White House spokeswoman (CNN quote)
Regional risks and opportunities for Ukraine
Risks. Escalation in Iran threatens a spike in oil prices and logistical disruptions, which would affect Europe’s energy security and, indirectly, Ukraine. LIGA.net emphasizes that such fluctuations matter for the Ukrainian front as well — both through budgetary risks and potential changes in weapons deliveries.
Opportunities. At the same time, crises open a chance for Ukraine’s defense industry: increased demand for drones and electronic warfare systems provides an opportunity to showcase technologies developed over years of war and to seek new markets.
Brief chronological context
- On March 23, 2026, the U.S. president announced a five-day pause in strikes on Iran, saying that the talks were "very good and productive"; Tehran denied this.
- Earlier, Washington issued ultimatums regarding the Strait of Hormuz and threatened strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure if demands were not met.
- Axios reports that the U.S. proposed holding talks on March 26 and is awaiting a response from Iran.
What’s next
In the short term, the key question is whether the U.S. administration can turn the Iranians’ preference into a real format for talks. For Ukraine, it is important to monitor two parameters: energy stability and opportunities for defense exports. Diplomacy is still being conducted behind the scenes; for us, the important things are not loud statements but practical steps that will affect security and the economy.
Sources: CNN, Axios, LIGA.net.
