‘Things Changed’: JD Vance to Join Second Round of Iran Talks Despite Initial Trump Confusion

After a brief moment of confusion caused by President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will indeed travel to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks involving Iran.

Trump had said on Sunday, April 19, that Vance would not join the trip due to security concerns.

However, later that day, White House officials clarified that the vice president is set to depart on Monday, April 20, as scheduled.

Vance and Trump's visit is expected to play an important role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Iran war.

During a press conference on Sunday, April 19, Trump said “no” when asked if Vance would travel to Pakistan for the Iran peace talks.

Trump reiterated that Vance would not go, citing security concerns.

Following this, many believed that the vice president would miss the latest round of diplomatic talks involving Iran.

However, White House officials later told CNN that Vance “will attend” the Iran negotiations in Pakistan.

He is expected to travel to Pakistan with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, on Monday.

A White House official reportedly told CNN that “things changed” when it comes to Vance's travel to Pakistan.

CNN correspondent Alayna Treene reported that the confusion likely stemmed from standard U.S. Secret Service protocol that keeps the president and vice president in separate locations.

Treene wrote, "The White House tells CNN that VP Vance is traveling to Pakistan for talks, in addition to Witkoff and Kushner, despite POTUS saying Vance wasn't attending."

She further added, “As for Trump’s comments this morning saying Vance wasn’t making the trip, a White House official told CNN: ‘Things changed.’”

Meanwhile, as Vance joins the second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan, Treene raises new concerns.

According to her, this move may go against the United States Secret Service rules, which usually keep the president and vice president in separate places for safety.

Treene noted, “Secret Service does not want Vance & POTUS in the same place at the same time (not just due to the region & the security risks that poses, but in general/domestically too).”

She further added, “If POTUS were to try & travel to Pakistan should a final deal materialize, it’s likely the VP would need to return to the U.S. first.”

Treene explained that even in normal situations, both leaders are not kept together due to security risks. Meanwhile, as for the diplomatic talks, the first round of discussion in Islamabad ended without any agreement, leading Vance to face brutal trolling.

The first round of talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement. The current ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday, April 23, adding urgency to the second round. Iranian media has suggested Iran may not attend if the U.S. naval blockade continues.

Both parties are expected to arrive in Pakistan by Monday night, with formal negotiations scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 22.