Ali Vaez
ON THE RECORD · 6 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“It’s a mistake to think Trump will be a lame duck after the midterms. He’s more likely to become a flame duck, taking bigger risks.”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez warned that Trump is more likely to take bigger risks after the midterms than become a lame duck.
“But a more credible messenger alone cannot bridge a chasm of substantive disagreements.”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez cautioned that a more credible messenger alone cannot bridge substantive disagreements between the US and Iran.
“someone who has both the president’s ear and an appreciation of the price of failure”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez told Al Jazeera that Tehran views Vance as having the president's ear and understanding the cost of failure.
“The military machinery is being assembled and the diplomatic clock is running down,”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez said military machinery is being assembled as the diplomatic clock runs down.
“Unlike Trump, who sees escalation as a source of leverage, Vance appears more attuned to its diminishing returns,”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez contrasted Trump's reliance on escalation with Vance's awareness of its diminishing returns.
“the expiration of [Trump’s] political restraint.”
Ali Vaez · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-29
Vaez said the risk of a US strike is dangerously high, with the November 3 elections possibly marking the expiration of Trump's political restraint.