Sen. Mark Kelly told CBS's Face the Nation that President Trump should remove Jared Kushner and developer Steve Witkoff from lead roles in negotiations with Iran, arguing both lack the necessary diplomatic experience. Kelly urged the appointment of seasoned envoys to rebuild alliances and pursue effective talks with Tehran. A June agreement that briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz and a U.S.-Iran ceasefire have since collapsed, while the president has alternated between threats of further strikes and limited openness to negotiations. Rising fuel and grocery prices and divided political responses have intensified the domestic stakes.
Sen. Mark Kelly Urges Trump To Replace Jared Kushner And Steve Witkoff As Iran Conflict Escalates
Senator tells Trump to ditch ‘real estate buddy’ and Jared Kushner as Iran war threatens to spiral out of control
A Democratic senator and former astronaut, Sen. Mark Kelly, publicly urged President Donald Trump on Sunday to remove Jared Kushner and developer Steve Witkoff from lead diplomatic roles in negotiations with Iran, saying neither is adequately experienced for the delicate talks as the conflict risks spiraling further.
Sen. Mark Kelly urged Donald Trump to ditch his two top negotiators on Sunday (Getty)
Appearing on CBS's Face the Nation, Kelly called for seasoned diplomats to be appointed and for the administration to rebuild international coalitions. He specifically dismissed Witkoff as a "real estate buddy" and warned against entrusting sensitive negotiations to family members and personal associates.
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have led Donald Trump's negotiating team in talks with Iran (AFP/Getty)
"I would suggest to him, though, that the solution is not to do the same thing that he's been doing — not to have his real estate buddy and his son-in-law in charge of a negotiation. Put some people in here that know how to do this, how to talk to the Iranians, and put a coalition together, bring our allies back together." — Sen. Mark Kelly
What Led Here
For months Kushner and Witkoff have been credited with leading U.S. negotiating efforts as the administration sought a way out of a conflict that President Trump initially said would be short-lived. After a deal in June briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, that agreement and a broader U.S.-Iran ceasefire subsequently unraveled. White House officials have continued to press Iran to guarantee safe passage through the strait, but progress has been limited.
The burial of Iran's slain Supreme Leader attracted massive crowds earlier this month (Reuters)
Recent Developments
In recent days the president has alternated between suggesting he is open to talks and warning that Iran often breaks its commitments. At a Cabinet meeting this week, he threatened to strike another portion of an Iranian nuclear site targeted last year, citing satellite imagery showing activity at an area referred to as "Pickaxe Mountain." How that posture will affect the conflict, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and already-volatile global oil markets remains uncertain.
Domestic Impact And Political Stakes
The confrontation has intersected with economic pressure at home. Average U.S. gasoline prices are now above $4 per gallon, dampening the summer travel season and pushing up costs across the economy. Grocery prices remain high and public concern about affordability has contributed to declining approval ratings for the president. Democrats have not gained a clear advantage on the Iran issue, in part because the party is divided between hawkish members who supported the initial strikes and others who call for restraint.
Other Assignments And Next Steps
Witkoff and Kushner were also tasked earlier with helping negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war — a promise President Trump has reiterated he would resolve early in a potential second term. That effort produced no major breakthroughs before attention shifted to Iran. Media reports say the pair may visit Kyiv this month, which would be their first trip to Ukraine if it occurs.
Sen. Kelly’s call reflects growing scrutiny of the administration's reliance on close associates for high-stakes diplomacy and highlights broader concerns about coordination with allies and the potential domestic fallout if tensions continue to affect energy and consumer prices.
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