Senior US Senator JD Vance held a clandestine meeting with Iranian officials at a Swiss luxury resort last week, sources confirm. The encounter, which took place at the five-star Dolder Grand in Zurich, has sparked unease among British diplomats who were kept in the dark. Documents obtained by this newsroom show that Vance's office booked the venue under a pseudonym, raising questions about the meeting's purpose.
Vance, a Republican from Ohio, has long advocated for a more hawkish stance on Tehran. Yet his presence at a summit known for its opulence seems at odds with his populist image. Witnesses describe a two-hour private dinner on 12 November, attended by a Iranian delegation led by Foreign Ministry official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
British intelligence sources say they were not notified of the meeting. A Foreign Office insider called it a 'dangerous freelance operation' that undermines allied strategy. The US State Department declined to comment, but leaked internal emails suggest officials are scrambling to contain the fallout.
The meeting challenges the EU-backed nuclear negotiations, which British diplomats have helped to shape. Critics argue that Vance's unilateral approach could fracture the Western alliance and embolden Iran.
This is not Vance's first foray into rogue diplomacy. In July, he held undisclosed talks with Russian oligarchs in Vienna. His team refuses to disclose the meeting's agenda, but a source close to the senator claims he was 'laying groundwork for a new peace framework'. The Swiss resort, known for its discretion, has become a favourite for back-channel deals.
As the US heads into a contentious election cycle, Vance's actions risk further polarising foreign policy. British officials are demanding an explanation. But in the murky world of high-stakes diplomacy, they may not get one.
