Trump Extends Strike Pause as Witkoff Floats 15-Point Iran Peace Plan
Trump Iran strike pause Steve Witkoff peace proposal 2026
President Donald Trump announced a formal extension of the moratorium on military strikes against Iranian civilian power plants on Thursday, March 26, 2026, citing “significant diplomatic movement” in ongoing back-channel negotiations. The extension follows an initial five-day pause and comes as Special Envoy Steve Witkoff began circulating a comprehensive 15-point peace proposal among regional intermediaries in Qatar and Egypt.
The plan, which seeks a “permanent and verifiable” end to the conflict that began on February 28, centers on the complete removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the dismantling of its key nuclear enrichment facilities. According to official reports from The Washington Post, the Trump administration has signaled that it is willing to offer “unprecedented” sanctions relief and a path toward economic reintegration if Tehran agrees to the stringent disarmament terms.
The 15-point framework, colloquially dubbed the “Witkoff Accord,” mandates that Iran hand over all uranium enriched above 3.67% to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for extraction to a neutral third-party country. Additionally, the proposal requires the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all international shipping, backed by a multinational maritime guarantee.
In a briefing from the Mar-a-Lago transition office, Witkoff emphasized that the United States is seeking a “reset” of the regional security architecture, including a cessation of Iranian funding for proxy groups in Lebanon and Yemen. The Guardian reports that while the Iranian Foreign Ministry has yet to formally accept the document, internal divisions within the Iranian leadership have become increasingly visible, with some pragmatic factions reportedly open to discussing the economic incentives offered in the deal.
The diplomatic overture coincides with a cooling of rhetoric from the White House, as President Trump noted that “nobody wants to see the lights go out for 85 million people” if a deal can be reached. However, the Pentagon remains on high alert, with Defense Secretary Mike Waltz confirming that U.S. carrier strike groups will maintain their positions in the Persian Gulf to ensure “maximum leverage” during the negotiation window.
Market analysts at Bloomberg observed that global oil prices stabilized near $102 per barrel following the news, as traders cautiously optimistic about a de-escalation factored in the reduced likelihood of an immediate strike on energy infrastructure. As the new deadline approaches, the focus remains on whether Tehran will provide a concrete gesture of good faith, such as allowing IAEA inspectors back into the Fordow enrichment site, to keep the peace process alive.
