An Iranian insider sent a private message to Vice President JD Vance warning that President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff "were exploiting the negotiations for financial gain," according to a new report from Drop Site News on Wednesday.
The message was sent to Vance through an intermediary as talks were underway in Lake Lucerne, Switzerland in June, a senior official told Drop Site.
"The Iranians warned Vance that the continued presence of President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would undermine the chance of turning the June 17 framework into an enduring deal," Drop Site reported.
"The Iranian official spoke to Drop Site on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly," according to the outlet. "In the message, according to the official, Iran conveyed to Vance that the pair were more interested in exploiting insider knowledge of the negotiations to profit in financial markets than they were in reaching a deal. Iranian negotiators also expressed concern about repeated leaks from Kushner to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."
Witkoff and Kushner reportedly "talk almost every day to Netanyahu" and the head of the Mossad, a U.S. official told Axios. The Israeli prime minister had expressed concerns about the ongoing talks.
A U.S. official has denied the source's claims.
"We transmitted data and assessments through an exclusive channel to Mr. Vance," a senior Iranian official who had direct knowledge of the outreach told the outlet. "Iranian negotiators, he said, communicated to Vance that they believed Witkoff and Kushner were 'abusing' the diplomatic process, 'effectively disrupting the overall negotiating atmosphere.'"
Iranian negotiators have been clear about their stance against Kushner and Witkoff.
"Since the Iran war began, many financial analysts have described a pattern where speculative bets are placed or unusually large positions are taken in key markets related to the conflict and diplomatic events, including consistent announcements from Trump made just prior to the Monday openings of U.S. trading," Drop Site reported. "This has led to widespread public speculation that people with access to inside information are manipulating markets in oil futures, energy stocks, and prediction markets."
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly disputed the report in a statement, condemning Drop Site.
"No such message was ever transmitted to the United States. It’s sad that Drop Site News ‘reporters’ are so filled with hate for America and devoid of respect for themselves that they have become full-throated propagandists for the Iranian regime," Kelly said.