Witkoff Confirms 15-Point Peace Pitch to Iran

WASHINGTON—Special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed during a White House Cabinet meeting on March 26 that he has relayed a 15-point proposal to end the ongoing armed conflict with Iran.

“I can report to you today that we have, along with your foreign policy team, presented a 15-point action list that forms the framework for a peace deal,” Witkoff told U.S. President Donald Trump.

Witkoff declined to specify the terms of the U.S. proposal, which he said was relayed through Pakistani intermediaries.

“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and you have directed us to maintain confidentiality on the specific terms and not negotiate through the news media as others do,” he said.

He said there are “strong signs” of a potential deal with Tehran.

Iranian state media on March 25 reported that Tehran had rejected peace terms from Washington and had issued its own five-point counter-offer.

Tehran’s terms included a halt to military action against Iran, a mechanism to ensure that such military action does not resume at a later date, a clearly defined agreement for Iran to receive reparations for damages from the conflict, an end to all fighting between regional proxies, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

While Iranian officials have publicly downplayed negotiations, Trump has said they are more conciliatory in private.

“They say, ‘Oh, we’re not talking’ … they are begging to work out a deal,” Trump said during the March 26 Cabinet meeting. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that. They should have done that four weeks ago.”

Earlier this week, Trump said Iranian officials had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons.

Iranian leaders have claimed for years that their nuclear program is peaceful in nature. However, Iran has stockpiled highly enriched uranium in recent years. Tehran declared that this increased uranium enrichment was a response to Trump’s decision to increase sanctions against Iran.

On March 24, Trump alluded to a “present” that Iranian leaders had offered to the United States, “worth a tremendous amount of money.” During his March 26 Cabinet meeting, Trump revealed that the “present” was permission for 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz unharmed.

Trump said the gesture came as a sign that his administration was “dealing with the right people” in negotiations.

In a separate comment on Truth Social on March 26, Trump threatened worsening consequences for Tehran if a deal isn’t reached soon.

“They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is no turning back,” he wrote.

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has dispatched two separate amphibious ready groups to the Middle East. Each amphibious ready group can consist of as many as 5,000 U.S. sailors and Marines, including Marine amphibious landing capabilities, ground combat forces, fighter jets, and troop transport and attack helicopters.

The Pentagon has also dispatched elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, including the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, a headquarters element, and unspecified additional enabling forces.