Speculations About the Possible Appointment of Steve Wittecuff as 'Iran File Responsible'

A report by the Financial Times suggests that Steve Wittecuff, the special representative of the Trump administration for Middle Eastern affairs, may be appointed to oversee the Iran file. President Trump did not dismiss this possibility during a conversation with reporters on Thursday night. When asked whether he had chosen Wittecuff as the person responsible for Iran and whether he would engage in direct talks with Iranian officials, he stated: 'I will definitely use him; he is an excellent negotiator and a very good and popular person.' Barak Ravid, a journalist for Axios, also reported, citing four sources, including two American officials, that Wittecuff is expected to be introduced as the person responsible for diplomacy with Iran. Wittecuff, who previously played a key role in the Gaza ceasefire, is set to lead diplomatic efforts related to Iran's nuclear program. The Financial Times reported on Thursday, January 24, that this decision reflects Trump's willingness to test diplomacy before increasing pressure on Tehran. According to 'people familiar with the matter,' Wittecuff, a real estate investor who played a crucial role in securing the Gaza ceasefire, is expected to lead efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program as part of Trump's broader agenda to 'stop wars' in the region. The report notes that while some members of Trump's foreign policy team have adopted a more cautious approach toward Iran, others support more hardline actions. Wittecuff, along with Morgan Ortagus as deputy, is tasked with maintaining the Gaza ceasefire while exploring the possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Trump has appointed Morgan Ortagus, the spokesperson for the State Department during his first term, who has experience serving in the Middle East, as Wittecuff's deputy. The combination of the Iran file and the Israeli-Palestinian disputes under the responsibilities of a special representative is considered unusual. According to the Financial Times, despite severe economic pressures on Iran and the increase in the Islamic Republic's enriched uranium reserves, reaching an agreement between Tehran and Washington seems challenging, and some congressional officials and critics of this appointment have expressed concerns about reducing pressure on Iran. Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers in 2018 and imposed strict sanctions on Tehran. He warned that if Iran confronts Washington and pursues nuclear weapons, this could lead to 'the official end of Iran.' While Trump's team has developed new measures to revive the 'maximum pressure' campaign through new sanctions or tighter oversight of current actions, the President and his advisors emphasize that the path of diplomacy should remain open to prevent a broader confrontation with Iran.