Trump Team Planning Possible Iran Talks

An American official and an informed source revealed that the Iran conflict has lasted for three weeks, and the Trump administration has held preliminary discussions on the next steps and potential peace negotiations with Iran.

President Trump stated on Friday that he is considering a “gradual end” to the war, but U.S. officials expect the fighting to continue for another two to three weeks. Meanwhile, Trump’s advisory team hopes to lay the groundwork for diplomatic negotiations.

Sources said that Trump’s envoy Kushner and Vitkov participated in discussions related to potential diplomatic talks.

Any ceasefire agreement must include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, resolving Iran’s high-enriched uranium stockpile issues, and reaching long-term agreements on Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for regional proxy groups.

One U.S. official and two other informed sources said that recent contacts between the U.S. and Iran have not been direct, but Egypt, Qatar, and the UK have been passing messages between the two countries. Egypt and Qatar have informed the U.S. and Israel that Iran is interested in negotiations but has set extremely harsh conditions.

Iran’s demands include an immediate ceasefire, guarantees from the U.S. that hostilities will not resume in the future, and war reparations.

An American official who believes Iran will return to the negotiating table said, “We believe Iran’s momentum has been contained. The U.S. is demanding six commitments from Iran: stop all missile projects within five years; fully cease uranium enrichment activities; dismantle nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow bombed last year; implement strict external oversight on centrifuges and related equipment used for nuclear weapons development; sign arms control treaties with regional countries with missile range limits not exceeding 1,000 kilometers; and cease funding support to proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza.”

Iran has previously rejected many of these demands multiple times, and Tehran’s leadership has also pointed out that negotiating with a president who once started talks but suddenly launched bombings is extremely difficult. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Foreign Minister Araghchi told the Indian Foreign Minister on Saturday that to restore normalcy in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. and Israel must stop attacks on Iran and promise not to launch future assaults.

As for Trump, he said on Friday that he is not opposed to negotiations but currently has no intention of accepting Iran’s ceasefire demands.

One U.S. official revealed that Trump also considers Iran’s war reparations demand an “unacceptable condition.” Another official said there may be room for negotiation regarding the return of frozen assets to Iran.