Who is Nick Stewart? Trump appoints adviser as Iran talks hit roadblock

The White House has confirmed that Nick Stewart has joined the team working on a deal to end the war with Iran.

Stewart, described by US officials as a former lobbyist and a State Department member during President Donald Trump’s first term, is being brought in as an adviser to the diplomatic effort led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

CBS News also reported that Stewart was already part of the delegation that traveled to Islamabad in early April, where that round of diplomacy failed.

Also Read | Canada sounds alarm on Khalistani extremists, flags security threat

‘Seasoned’ Iran expert added to Witkoff’s team

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales called Stewart a “sharp, seasoned policy expert” and said he was a valuable asset to Witkoff’s team.

Wales added that he brings “a wealth of leadership and Iran policy experience” from his work at the Department of State in the first Trump administration and on Capitol Hill. She said Stewart would help Witkoff work “in lockstep with President Trump and his entire national security team” to secure a deal that is “good for the United States and the world.”

Also Read | Close call at Newark: United jet strikes light pole, vehicle before landing

Past lobbying role and Iran stance draw scrutiny

Stewart was brought on by Jared Kushner and had previously worked for the lobbying arm of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, which is described as a hawkish group that has supported military action against Iran. He has also been linked to lobbying filings filed with the Senate since 2023.

The State Department bio also says he entered the department in 2017 as a special assistant on the Policy Planning Staff before later moving into Iran-focused work.

The appointment takes place at a delicate time in the US-Iran relationship, as talks are still under strain following the failure of the previous round in Islamabad to reach a consensus.

Even as the makeup of the negotiating team comes under examination in Washington, the administration has maintained that the diplomatic push is part of a larger attempt to seek a deal with Tehran.