Trump Team Prepares Ground for Potential Iran Peace Talks Amid War

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning its strategy for potential peace negotiations with Iran, even as military conflict continues. This preparation comes despite expectations from some U.S. Officials that hostilities could persist for another two to three weeks.

President Trump stated on March 20 that he is considering "winding down" the war. According to sources, his advisors are now pushing to initiate groundwork for diplomatic talks. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are expected to serve as Trump's principal envoys should negotiations commence.

Washington's view is that any agreement to end the war must include several key components: the restoration of safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a resolution regarding Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, and long-term arrangements concerning its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxy forces in the region.

While there have been no direct contacts between the U.S. And Iran in recent days, third-party nations including Egypt, Qatar, and the United Kingdom have reportedly been relaying messages. Sources in Cairo and Doha indicate Iran is interested in dialogue but has set forth stringent preconditions.

Tehran's demands include an immediate ceasefire, guarantees that war will not resume, and financial compensation for damages. American officials believe the war has significantly hampered Iran's development, which they see as a factor that could push Tehran toward the negotiating table.

The U.S. Side has outlined a list of six potential obligations it seeks from Iran: a five-year halt to its missile program; zero uranium enrichment; the dismantling of reactors at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow; strict external monitoring of centrifuges and related equipment; regional arms control agreements limiting missiles to 1,000; and an end to financing proxy organizations such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.

Iran has previously rejected many of these demands. Leaders in Tehran have also expressed skepticism about negotiating with a U.S. President who they say has "in the past entered talks only to suddenly start bombing."

In diplomatic communications, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told his Indian counterpart that normalizing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz requires the U.S. And Israel to cease attacks on Iran and pledge not to resume them in the future.

President Trump said on Friday he is not opposed to talks but is currently unwilling to meet Iran's demand for a ceasefire. A U.S. Official added that Trump views Tehran's call for reparations as a "non-starter." However, another source suggested a potential compromise involving the return of frozen Iranian assets could be framed differently to achieve political consensus.

"They call it reparations. Maybe we call it returning frozen funds," an official said. "There are many ways to choose words to politically solve their problems... That is mastery of wording."

The Trump team is also working to identify key decision-makers within Iran's power structure and determine which country might best serve as an intermediary. The terms being prepared by Kushner and Witkoff are reportedly similar to those presented in Geneva just two days before the war began.