--- title: "Mark Kelly vs. Kushner: Senator Demands Removal of 'Real Estate Agent' from Iran Negotiations" description: "Senator Mark Kelly harshly criticized Donald Trump for his choice of negotiators with Iran, calling Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff a 'real estate agent' and 'son-in-law' incapable of resolving the conflict. Amid rising gas prices and threats of new strikes on nuclear facilities, the Democrat demands bringing professionals and allies back to the negotiating table. 🇺🇸🇮🇷📉" date: 2026-08-03T00:16:02.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/mark-kelly-vs-kushner-senator-demands-removal-of-real-estate-agent-from-iran-negotiations tags: [mark-kelly, jared-kushner, donald-trump, iran, us-politics] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Mark Kelly vs. Kushner: Senator Demands Removal of 'Real Estate Agent' from Iran Negotiations ![Senator Mark Kelly and Jason Kushner in the context of the dispute over negotiations with Iran](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/03/mark-kelly-prizval-ustranit-kushnera-ot-peregovorov-s-iranom/mark-kelly-prizval-ustranit-kushnera-ot-peregovorov-s-iranom-1.webp) A heated debate is unfolding in Washington regarding the White House's diplomatic strategy. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly has publicly urged Donald Trump to replace the team of negotiators leading the dialogue with Iran. According to the lawmaker, the current intermediaries — the President's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — are failing to resolve the prolonged conflict. ### Criticism of 'Amateur' Diplomacy Kushner and Witkoff have overseen the process for several months, which was expected to conclude within weeks. However, the war has dragged on, and the administration continues to seek a path to peace. On CBS, Mark Kelly did not hold back his emotions, criticizing Trump's choice: "I would advise him not to do the same thing he has been doing so far: keep his real estate agent friend and son-in-law in charge of negotiations," the senator stated, referring to Witkoff and Kushner. According to Kelly, Washington needs to "put people in charge who know how to do this, how to talk to the Iranians." He also insists on the necessity of building a coalition and bringing allies back into the negotiation process, rather than attempting to act in isolation. ### Background: Ceasefire Failure and Threats of Strikes Kelly's criticism is not new. He has opposed the administration's foreign policy since late February, when Trump initiated military action against Iran, promising to dismantle Tehran's nuclear program. At that time, Democrats questioned the necessity of the strikes, citing that attacks on three nuclear facilities the previous summer had already achieved their goal. Today, the nuclear program has taken a back seat, and the administration is attempting to return to the status quo. The President was pursuing an agreement announced in June, which was supposed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping. However, the ceasefire collapsed, and White House officials have spent months unsuccessfully trying to force Iran to open the strait. In recent days, Trump has indicated that he is losing interest in the current format of negotiations, stating that Iran frequently breaks its promises. Last week, he even threatened to strike another section of a nuclear facility — in the area of Mount Pikaks, where work continues according to satellite imagery. ### Economic Consequences and Party Divide The conflict has already begun to hit Americans in the pocket. Gas prices have exceeded $4 per gallon, and Trump's approval rating has dropped to one of the lowest levels on record. However, Democrats do not have a monopoly on criticism or support for the course. The party is divided: some representatives linked to the party establishment supported the hardline approach and welcomed the initial strikes on Iran. On Saturday, Trump spoke again about the possibility of a new ceasefire agreement. In his Truth Social account, he canceled another wave of strikes to continue negotiations, calling on everyone to "get to work and finish the job". ### Double Front: Iran and Ukraine The same Kushner and Witkoff were also responsible for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump promised to resolve this issue on the first day of his second term. Despite a lack of progress before switching focus to Iran, diplomats, according to available data, may visit Kyiv this month. This would be their first visit to Ukraine. Threats from Iran came against a backdrop of rising tension in the region. It was previously reported that the US and Israel were preparing one of the largest bombing campaigns against Iran's energy infrastructure — strikes could have occurred over the weekend. US embassies in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries have urged their citizens to refrain from traveling to the region and be prepared for urgent evacuation due to possible escalation. At the same time, the top US general in Europe privately warned the Pentagon that he lacks the naval forces to continue protecting Israel from ballistic missiles.