Trump Weighing Ceasefire With Iran? US Planning For Peace Talks, Eyes New Mediator

Last Updated:March 22, 2026, 09:52 IST

Behind the scenes, Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are involved in discussions on how talks with Iran could take shape.

After three weeks of fighting, US President Donald Trump’s administration has begun early discussions on what could come next, including the possibility of peace talks with Iran, according to an Axios report citing US officials and sources.

Trump said on Friday he was considering “winding down" the war. However, officials expect the conflict to continue for another two to three weeks. At the same time, his advisers are starting to prepare for possible diplomatic efforts.

Behind the scenes, Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are involved in discussions on how talks with Iran could take shape.

Any agreement, officials say, would need to include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, addressing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and setting a long-term framework on its nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and support for regional proxies.

However, there has been no direct communication between the US and Iran in recent days. Messages have instead been passed through Egypt, Qatar and the United Kingdom. These intermediaries have told the US and Israel that Iran is open to negotiations, but with strict conditions. Tehran is seeking a ceasefire, assurances that the war will not restart, and compensation.

US lays out key demands for Iran

One US official said Washington believes Iran may eventually come to the negotiating table. The US wants Iran to agree to several conditions such as no missile programme for five years, zero uranium enrichment, decommissioning of the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities, strict external monitoring of centrifuges and related machinery, arms control agreements with regional countries, including a missile cap of 1,000 and no funding for groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.

Iran’s position remains firm

Iran has rejected many of these demands in the past. Officials in Tehran have also pointed to the difficulty of negotiating with a US administration that has previously held talks and then launched attacks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said normalising the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would require the US and Israel to stop attacks and commit not to resume them.

Trump has said he does not oppose talks but is not willing at present to accept Iran’s demand for a ceasefire. He has also dismissed calls for compensation as a “non-starter".

However, one US official suggested there could be room for negotiation over returning frozen Iranian assets, though this would depend on how both sides frame the issue.

Trump team searching for right contact and mediator

Trump’s team is now trying to identify who in Iran has the authority to negotiate and which country could act as a mediator.

While Araghchi has been involved in past talks, US advisers believe he may not have the final authority to secure a deal. Officials are trying to determine who makes key decisions in Tehran and how to reach them.

The US is also looking for a mediator. While Oman played that role earlier, Washington is now considering Qatar, although Doha prefers to stay in the background.

Sources told Axios that Trump’s advisers want to be ready if negotiations begin soon. The terms of peace talks being discussed are expected to be similar to proposals presented in Geneva just days before the war began.

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