Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been tapped as President Donald Trump’s Iran envoy in an attempt to repair Iranian-American relations, Politico reports.
Paul proposed meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during a recent round of golf with the president, according to four sources who spoke with the news outlet.
Zarif is in New York this week for meetings at the United Nations and with non-government figures.
Paul, along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and a group of Democratic senators, voted on a measure in late June that would make it mandatory for the White House to obtain congressional approval before taking any military action against Iran.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence, and National Security Adviser John Bolton are opposed to Paul's role, as they want to put maximum pressure on Iran.
Pompeo last week said the United States has implemented the "strongest pressure campaign in history against the Iranian regime," before adding "and we are not done." Bolton is a longtime advocate of regime change in Tehran.
Paul in late June praised Trump for calling off a retaliatory strike against Iran, saying the president is proving himself to be a responsible leader.
"I'm really proud of President Trump for showing restraint," Paul said. "It really takes a statesman to show restraint amidst a chorus of voices for war."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.