President Donald Trump’s Center East envoy on Thursday revealed particulars concerning the negotiations with Iran main as much as Trump’s determination to assault virtually 4 weeks in the past.
Steve Witkoff spoke at a Trump’s first Cupboard assembly because the warfare began, studying from ready remarks to explain the talks he and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, had with Iranian negotiators previous to the beginning of the battle.
Witkoff listed a few of the calls for the U.S. made to the Iranian authorities regarding its nuclear program, together with “no likelihood” on weaponizing it, the decommissioning of the Fordow nuclear facility — bombed by the U.S. final summer time — “no enrichment by any means,” a ban on stockpiling nuclear materials and turning over enriched uranium to the U.S.
White Home Particular Envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff speaks throughout a Cupboard assembly on the White Home, March 26, 2026, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP
He stated the U.S. additionally demanded a cutback in Iran’s ballistic missile stock and of their vary functionality.
The Iranians responded, he stated, by arguing they’d the “inalienable proper to complement,” and that they “wouldn’t surrender diplomatically what the U.S. couldn’t win militarily.”
Witkoff stated Iran once more miscalculated the “complete success” of Midnight Hammer, the strike final June on the nation’s nuclear services.
Addressing Trump, he stated, “These are incontrovertible indicators amongst amongst many different indicators that their regime had not given their negotiating crew authority to make a deal required by you.”
“All through all of those negotiations, and we had been repeatedly rebuffed on every part we requested for. I’ve little question that we exhausted all efforts on behalf of a peaceable decision as you directed,” he advised Trump.
Trump argued that the U.S. went to warfare, for, amongst different causes, to stop Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon and stated that it will not decide to doing that previous to the hostilities.
With regard to the present bargaining, Witkoff stated U.S. negotiators have had “a number of reach-outs” from the Center East area and others he stated need play a task in ending the battle peacefully.
Cupboard members hearken to particular envoy Steve Witkoff communicate throughout a cupboard assembly within the Cupboard Room of the White Home in Washington, March 26, 2026.
Jim Watson/AFP through Getty Photos
Witkoff reiterated that the U.S. has introduced a 15-point “motion record’ to the Iranians, through the Pakistani authorities as a mediator, that “resulted in sturdy and constructive messaging in talks.”
Iran responded to the Trump administration’s 15-point plan Thursday by means of intermediaries in a single day Thursday, in accordance with Iran’s semi-official Tasnim information company, quoting an knowledgeable supply.
In line with Tasnim, Iran’s reply outlines a number of situations, together with an finish to assaults and assassinations, ensures the battle is not going to be repeated, and compensation for war-related damages.
President Donald Trump seems on throughout a cupboard assembly on the White Home in Washington, March 26, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
It added that Tehran is searching for a complete finish to hostilities throughout all fronts, together with teams aligned with Iran within the area.
Witkoff didn’t go into element concerning the U.S. 15-point plan, contending Trump wished confidentiality and to “not negotiate by means of the information media as others do.” He stated that Iran is searching for an “off ramp,” following Trump’s menace for escalated assaults.
“Your indications that you’re keen to hearken to peace proposals have been effectively acquired. You’ve instructed us that your desire is at all times peace, and that we should always make that our precedence,” Witkoff stated.
“We’ve delivered that message, sir, together with the 15-points for peace. Lastly, now we have advised Iran one very last thing: do not miscalculate once more,” he added.
