Witkoff: ‘Strong signs’ Iran will recognize it has no choice but to take US ceasefire offer

By Jacob Magid

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26 March 2026, 5:44 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US special envoy Steve Witkoff (2R) speaks during a cabinet meeting as, from L-R, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin look on in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2026. (Jim WATSON / AFP)

US special envoy Steve Witkoff says there are “strong signs” the US will be able to convince Iran that it has no better option than to accept Washington’s 15-point plan for ending the war.

“Against [the] backdrop of our compelling military successes in [Operation] Epic Fury, we have had multiple reach-outs from the region and others who want to play a role in ending this conflict peacefully,” Witkoff says in remarks at a White House cabinet meeting.

He says the US has crafted a “15-point action list that forms the framework for a peace deal,” which has been presented to Iran through Pakistani mediators. “This has resulted in strong and positive messaging.”

“If we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point, with no good alternatives for them other than more death and destruction, [and] we have strong signs that this is a possibility,” he says.

“If a deal happens, it will be great for the country of Iran, for the entire region and the world at large,” Witkoff continues.

“Iran is looking for an off-ramp following your powerful threat on Saturday,” he says, referring to US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum that he will bomb Iran’s energy plants if it doesn’t allow ships to freely pass through the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Trump subsequently pushed off that threat by five days, claiming that Iran had reached out, expressing willingness to make a deal in the interim.

“You have instructed us that your preference is always peace and that we should make that our priority. We have delivered that message, along with the 15 points for peace. We have told Iran one last thing, ‘Don’t miscalculate again,'” Witkoff says.

Reflecting on the talks with Iran that preceded the war, Witkoff insists that he and fellow American negotiator Jared Kushner “exhausted all efforts on behalf of the peaceful resolution as you directed.”

“The Iranians were there to buy time until a weaker president arrived. This was a flawed strategy,” Witkoff asserts.