US Forms 15-Point Plan to End Iran War as Trump Pushes Talks

Trump Iran peace plan reveals 15-point US roadmap to end Middle East conflict

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

The Trump administration has drafted a 15-point plan to end military hostilities with Iran, senior US officials confirmed on Tuesday, marking the first formal peace proposal since tensions escalated last month.

The document calls for an immediate cessation of missile strikes, the withdrawal of Iranian-backed militias from Iraq, and phased sanctions relief tied to Tehran’s nuclear compliance, according to three officials familiar with the plan.

The proposal emerged after President Donald Trump publicly urged “direct negotiations” with Tehran on January 15, reversing his previous stance of maximum pressure. Iran’s foreign ministry responded cautiously, saying it would study any formal US approach.

The 15-point roadmap demands Iran halt uranium enrichment beyond 3.67% purity, allow snap inspections of suspected nuclear sites, and cease support for regional militias, officials told reporters. In exchange, Washington offered to release $10 billion in frozen Iranian assets and suspend selected banking sanctions.

Tehran must respond within 30 days of receiving the proposal, a State Department official said. The timeline matches Trump’s stated goal of resolving the crisis “before spring,” according to White House transcripts.

Iranian officials privately questioned whether Trump could deliver on sanctions relief given congressional opposition, two European diplomats said. Tehran previously rejected similar 2019 proposals, they added.

The plan requires congressional approval for sanctions suspension exceeding 120 days, officials confirmed. Republican senators immediately criticized any concessions, while Democrats demanded stronger nuclear restrictions.

Oil prices fell 3.2% on news of potential talks, Brent crude trading at $67.40 per barrel. Analysts cited reduced conflict risk, though sanctions remained in place.

European Union foreign ministers scheduled emergency talks for January 28 to coordinate response, an EU spokesperson announced. France and Germany separately urged both sides to engage constructively.

Background

US-Iran relations deteriorated sharply after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018, reimposing economic sanctions that cut Iranian oil exports by 80%. Tehran responded by gradually violating enrichment limits starting in 2019, reaching 60% purity by 2024 despite international objections.

The current crisis began on December 28 when suspected Iranian proxies attacked the US embassy compound in Baghdad, wounding 3 contractors. Trump ordered retaliatory strikes on militia bases, killing 17 fighters. Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops on January 3, causing brain injuries to 64 service members.

What’s Next

Iranian officials must present the US proposal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before responding, a process that typically takes 7-10 days, according to former Iranian negotiators. Trump administration officials plan regional stops in Oman and Qatar next week to build support for the initiative, the State Department confirmed.

The proposal’s success hinges on whether either leader can sell concessions to domestic hardliners. Congressional sanctions require 60 Senate votes for removal, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards publicly oppose any nuclear limitations. European diplomats said both sides appeared more flexible than in 2019, citing Trump’s legacy-seeking and Iran’s economic crisis.