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Donald Trump will assign his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff the responsibility of addressing Washington’s concerns about Iran, sources familiar with the matter said, indicating that the US president is ready to test diplomacy before intensifying pressure on Tehran.

WitkoffHe, a real estate investor who played a pivotal role in securing the Gaza ceasefire, is expected to lead efforts on Iran’s nuclear program as part of Trump’s broader mission to “stop the wars” in the region, the sources said.

In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, then imposed tough sanctions and warned that it would be the “official end of Iran” if it fought Washington and sought nuclear weapons.

During the transition, the Trump team charted what was possible Sizes To reinstate the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, through new sanctions or stricter monitoring of existing measures.

But Trump and his aides said in early meetings that they wanted to keep the path open to avoid a broader confrontation with Iran. Some Trump officials have told diplomats and foreign colleagues that they expect Witkoff to lead efforts to see if a diplomatic settlement is possible.

“I do not see the administration using force at the beginning of its term before it at least tries to exhaust other means. This does not fit with the approach with which the war began with Biden, and he will end it,” a former Israeli official said.

Several presidents have elevated senior officials to negotiate with Iran after George W. Bush began diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear program. It is unusual for a special envoy to take charge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Washington’s relations with Iran.

Witkopf’s primary focus will remain implementing the ceasefire in Gaza. Trump also named Morgan Ortagus, a State Department spokesman in his first term with experience serving in the Middle East, to serve as Witkopf’s deputy.

US officials say the broad outlines of Trump’s approach to Tehran, and Witkopf’s terms of reference, are still in flux. But some of the US President’s recent appointments have created a camp in the administration that may consider negotiating with Iran and doubt a strike on its nuclear program, something that has been defended by Iran hawks in both the US and Israeli governments.

Michael DiMino, Trump’s new top Middle East official at the Pentagon, was a former CIA official who had been advocating restraint in dealing with Tehran at a Koch-funded think tank. Elbridge Colby, Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, warned against any military action against Iran.

Others on Trump’s foreign policy team have taken a harder line, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During his confirmation hearing, Rubio said he supports “any arrangement that allows us to enjoy safety and stability in the region, but we have a clear vision about it.”

Asked about Witkopf’s role and the administration’s approach to Iran, Trump’s National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said: “We have no announcements to share at this time.”

Western officials believe that Iran is at its weakest point in decades after the multi-front war launched by Israel in the Middle East that led to the significant decline of Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel and the United States claim that a retaliatory attack on Iran last year destroyed much of its air defenses – although Tehran has denied this.

The Islamic Republic has also indicated it is open to talks, although analysts say agreeing on terms that would make the deal possible would be a major challenge for Trump and Iran. The United Nations warned in December that Iran had taken steps to “significantly” increase its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium.

In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear agreement between the six world powers and Iran. Britain, France and Germany are keen to reach a coordinated approach with the United States on what to do when this agreement effectively expires in October, according to diplomats.

Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Davos this week that he hopes Trump will be “more serious, more focused, and more realistic” in his dealings with Iran.

He said the US exit from the Iran nuclear deal had failed to “dissuade” Iran, but acknowledged the heavy economic costs borne by the Iranian people and government. Asked whether Iran would consider an agreement that would require Iran to stop supporting regional proxy groups, he said: “We have never had proxies.”

Witkoff’s potential management of Iranian issues has alarmed some Iran hawks in Congress and elsewhere in Washington, who worry that he will be too quick to drop pressure on Iran as it seeks a potential deal.

“He has already begun to lift pressure on Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, and in the process is abandoning American hostages and endangering Israel,” a senior Republican congressional staffer said. “He keeps saying he knows what Trump wants, but he doesn’t understand what Trump thinks.”