Rubio and the White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, favour keeping up pressure on Iran rather than restarting talks, the Wall Street Journal reports. That puts them at odds with Vance's push for a meeting with Iran's security chief.
According to the paper, as relayed by Iran International, the debate inside the administration is whether to resume negotiations or keep the naval blockade and sanctions in place until Tehran accepts a viable deal.
The WSJ also reports that Iranian diplomats privately doubt a deal can be reached. Some regional mediators doubt one will come in the next few days.
Regional officials told the paper they fear Ahmad Vahidi, commander-in-chief of the IRGC, has more influence than Mohsen Rezaei, the Supreme National Security Council secretary Vance has asked to meet, and could undermine any talks. Israel Hayom also relayed this part of the report.
The WSJ adds that moving US carriers farther away, as mediators have proposed, would be meant to reduce the risk of major strikes. None of these claims has been independently checked.