Who is Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy to negotiate peace with Iran

Steven "Steve" Witkoff, born on March 15, 1957, in the Bronx, New York, is a real estate magnate, lawyer, and occasional diplomat who plays an unusual but key role in the political sphere of Donald Trump's second term.

Founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group, he built a fortune estimated by Forbes at around $2 billion as of May 2025. A graduate in Law and Political Science from Hofstra University, Witkoff began as a lawyer specializing in real estate before becoming a developer: he led landmark acquisitions of New York buildings such as the Daily News and the Woolworth Building.

Witkoff and Trump have maintained a long-standing friendship that began in the 1980s, when Trump was his client at a New York law firm. Since then, they have been regular golf partners; in fact, Witkoff was with Trump during two assassination attempts that took place at their clubs.

In April 2020, during Trump's first presidency, he was part of the Great American Economic Revival group, tasked with mitigating the economic impact of COVID‑19.

In July 2024, he delivered a personal speech at the Republican convention, recounting difficult moments, including the death of his son from an overdose, where he highlighted Trump's empathy and support for his family.

On November 12, 2024, he was appointed United States Special Envoy for the Middle East, a position created by Trump for his second term. Without formal diplomatic experience, he assumed this role with an efficient business approach: direct and aggressive.

In January 2025, even before formally taking office, he actively participated in negotiations for the ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. Alongside Brett McGurk, he achieved a six-week agreement that involved the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for about one thousand Palestinian prisoners.

His "salty English" style before Netanyahu's cabinet, rushing the signing regardless of Shabbat, earned him a reputation for his candor.

He also led negotiations with Iran in Oman, aiming for a nuclear agreement. Witkoff and Iranian minister Abbas Araqchi have held several phone conversations since Israel began attacks against Iran on June 13. Araqchi warned that Iran will not return to nuclear negotiations while Israeli bombings continue.

The talks included a U.S. proposal from May to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside Iran, an option that Tehran has so far rejected. These calls represent the most direct and substantial dialogue between both parties since April.

A European diplomat stated that Iran would be willing to resume nuclear negotiations if the United States manages to halt Israeli attacks, showing some flexibility under that condition. Neither Washington nor Tehran replied immediately to the request for comment.

During the first months of 2025, his mandate expanded. In February, he traveled discreetly to Moscow and met with Putin for more than three hours. The result was the exchange of Professor Marc Fogel, released after three years in prison, for Russian Alexander Vinnik. He then joined talks on a possible agreement to stop the war in Ukraine, this time from Saudi Arabia.

His direct approach, focused on pragmatism and without traditional diplomatic caution, has been praised for achieving efficient results in a short time, managing to ensure that the tension between Russia and Ukraine has, at least, substantially decreased.

From Trump's perspective, Witkoff delivers quick results and high-level contacts, consolidating his role as a key intermediary in one of today's most delicate geopolitical conflicts.

Steve Witkoff represents a radical experiment in personalist diplomacy: a successful capitalist, without traditional credentials, who operates on personal trust with President Trump and achieves exceptional results. His key role in the Gaza ceasefire and the hostage exchange have been a tangible triumph and a demonstration of Witkoff's effectiveness.

In Trump's circle, Witkoff is defined as a "lone ranger": without a salary, with privileged access, and with unprecedented trust in the White House to negotiate complex geopolitical issues.

Witkoff has broad access within the White House, an office in the West Wing, and a direct link to Trump, being one of the president's most trusted people in the United States.