As the war in Iran threatens to imperil President Donald Trump's legacy, the political stakes are also rising for two of his top lieutenants: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The pair, widely viewed as potential successors to Trump, have been thrust into still-developing negotiations to end the war at a moment when the Republican Party is already weighing its post-Trump future.
Vance has taken a cautious approach, reflecting his skepticism toward prolonged US military involvement. At the same time, Rubio has aligned himself closely with Trump's hawkish stance and emerged as one of the administration's most vocal defenders of the campaign.
With the next presidential election due in 2028 and term limits barring Trump from running again, the president has been asking allies and advisers, "JD or Marco?" two people familiar with his views said.
