WASHINGTON D.C. – April 24, 2026 – Roger Carstens, who served as U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs under both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, has described Iranian negotiators as significantly more difficult and less reliable than their counterparts from the Taliban, Russia, or China.
In a recent interview on Fox News, Carstens shared his firsthand experience from years of high-stakes hostage diplomacy.
“Strangely, the Russians, the Chinese, the Taliban, the Venezuelans, when you start getting into hostage discussions, they tell the truth, and they stick to what they promise,” Carstens said. “You can do a handshake deal with the Taliban, and they’re going to follow through. The Iranians. Absolutely not.”
The former envoy noted that while deals can often be struck and honored with other adversarial parties, Iranian negotiators have proven uniquely tough and prone to changing positions.
Carstens highlighted the current situation involving at least six American citizens wrongfully detained in Iranian prisons — some previously held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. He warned that Tehran could use these detainees as leverage, or a “sweetener,” in broader diplomatic talks, including potential nuclear negotiations or ceasefire discussions with the United States.
The remarks come amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and speculation about future direct engagements between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues.
Carstens expressed confidence that the United States can still secure the release of the detained Americans but stressed that negotiations with Iran represent a uniquely challenging chapter in hostage diplomacy compared to other global actors.
The assessment was shared widely on social media by BRICS News, which posted the headline alongside images of Iranian and Taliban officials, drawing attention to the contrasting negotiation styles.
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