US Sends “15-Point” to Iran, Trump Claims Negotiations Underway
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are “in negotiations” and indicated Tehran wants to reach a peace deal, although Iran continues to deny any direct talks with Washington. Trump made the statement, explaining that he decided to back away from threats to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure “because we’re negotiating.”
Trump added that Iran “talked to us, and they talked to us reasonably,” when asked to explain his change in stance. He also mentioned several high-ranking US officials involved in the negotiations, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump had also previously stated that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with the Iranians on Sunday night.
That same day, The New York Times reported, citing two anonymous officials, that the US had sent a 15-point plan to end the war. The report said the plan was sent through Pakistan, but it was unclear how widely the document had circulated among Iranian officials. Furthermore, it was unclear whether Israel—which has been attacking Iran alongside the US—would support the plan.
Trump previously stated that there was a "about 15-point" agreement between the US and Iran, with preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon being the top priority. In his statement on Tuesday, Trump reiterated that the primary goal of the war was ensuring Iran did not acquire a nuclear weapon, even claiming that Iran had agreed "never to have a nuclear weapon."
Amid the divergent messaging between the US and Iran, reports suggest regional leaders are also engaging in backchannel diplomacy to push for an end to the war. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his country is willing to facilitate talks, and Trump shared a screenshot of the statement on Truth Social. However, the White House emphasized that diplomatic discussions are sensitive and will not be negotiated through the media.
Despite the strengthening diplomatic narrative, US military operations are said to be continuing. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that Operation "Epic Fury" is continuing to achieve the military objectives set by the president and the Pentagon. The Trump administration has also reportedly not backed down from plans to submit a supplemental war-related funding package to Congress, which could reach $200 billion.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon is preparing plans to deploy approximately 3,000 personnel from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. The White House confirmed that all announcements regarding troop deployments will be made by the War Department, emphasizing that Trump "always reserves all military options."
Newsmaker's Bottom Line: Washington is sending a strong signal that diplomacy is being pursued through its 15-point proposal, while maintaining military pressure and readiness for escalation. Markets and the region are now waiting for two things: whether Iran will respond concretely to the plan, and whether diplomatic steps can run parallel to military operations without triggering a new escalation.
Source: Newsmaker.id
