15-point peace plan for Iran

March 29, 2026

Credit: Dee Knight, public domain

The war between Iran and Israel entered a new phase on February 28, 2026, when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran killed Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and high-ranking military commanders and destroyed, among other things, the Iranian navy, Revolutionary Guard command centers and missile bases. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on 11 countries – in addition to the Middle East, also on Turkey, Cyprus and even the British-controlled island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, about 4,000 km from Iran.

Now at the end of March, US President Donald Trump has presented, through Pakistan, a 15-point peace plan, which Iran has rejected and presented the United States with a counter-proposal. Israel is critical of the plan, negotiations are expected to continue at least until April 6, 2026, after which attacks and possibly even a US ground operation to seize, for example, Kharg Island or another target in the Strait of Hormuz can be expected.

🇺🇸 US key demands in the 15-point peace plan

According to unconfirmed information, the plan initially proposes a 30-day ceasefire, during which the parties would negotiate a final agreement. The plan’s key demands concern in particular Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and its influence in the region.

¤ Regarding the nuclear program, Iran must commit definitively not to acquire nuclear weapons, dismantle existing nuclear facilities (Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow) and hand over highly enriched uranium (estimated 450 kg) to the IAEA. Uranium enrichment on Iranian soil would be prohibited.

¤ The missile program must be limited in range and quantity, and the missiles should only be used for defensive purposes.

¤ Iran must stop financing, arming and directing its regional allies (such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis).

¤ The strategically important Strait of Hormuz must remain open and function as a free sea route. Iran has blocked the use of the strait in recent weeks.
In return, the United States offers

¤ The lifting of all international sanctions.

¤ Assistance for Iran’s civilian nuclear power plant project in Bushehr for electricity generation.

¤ Removal of the threat of reimposition of sanctions (the “Snapback” mechanism, which would have allowed for the automatic reinstatement of sanctions).

¤ Gradual implementation is conditional on compliance with the provisions.

🇮🇷 Iran’s Counter-Demands

Iran’s state-owned Press TV quoted an unnamed “senior political security official” as listing five conditions for ending the war, which differ significantly from the US demands:

¤ Strait of Hormuz: Iran demands full control of the strait and the right to collect transit fees from ships (like Egypt’s Suez Canal).

¤ War reparations: The US and Israel must pay war reparations for damages caused to Iran.

¤ Bases and guarantees: The closure of all US bases in the Persian Gulf region, and international guarantees that war will not happen again.

¤ Missile program: Iran has the right to maintain its missile program without negotiations or restrictions.

¤ Ending Israeli attacks: Israel must end its attacks on Iran’s allies, such as Hezbollah.

🇮🇱 Israel’s perspective

For the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ending the war is only possible when three key goals are achieved:

¤ The complete elimination of the Iranian ballistic missile threat.

¤ A sure guarantee that Iran will never be able to develop a nuclear weapon.

¤ Creating conditions in Iran that would allow for an uprising and regime change.

Israel is therefore very critical of Trump’s 15-point peace plan. The country’s leadership believes that the plan does not guarantee sufficient restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and it fears that the United States wants to end the war too early. According to Israel, Trump’s plan does not meet these goals, but focuses too much on a diplomatic solution without sufficient guarantees.

After learning of the plan, Netanyahu gave the army a 48-hour deadline to destroy as much of Iran’s weapons industry as possible. This reflects concerns that Trump could announce peace talks at any time.

Epilogue

The negotiation situation is contradictory, as the parties give very different statements about it:

President Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have repeatedly said that negotiations are ongoing and making progress. Trump claims that Iran is “desperate” to reach an agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the military leadership strongly deny that negotiations are taking place. According to them, the United States is “negotiating with itself” and trying to turn its military defeat into a “deal”.

The situation is very uncertain. However, a diplomatic channel has been opened through Pakistan and Turkey, although the terms of both parties are far from each other. At the same time, the United States has strengthened its military presence in the region.

The United States has suspended some energy infrastructure strikes to give diplomacy more time, but fighting continues without a formal ceasefire. He claimed that Tehran has allowed ten oil tankers to sail through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture in the talks, including some Pakistani-flagged vessels.

Israel reportedly removed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf from its hit list after Pakistan asked Washington to ensure they were not eliminated. Ghalibaf is said to be a “top man” with whom Trump said on Monday he had indirectly negotiated terms to end the conflict.

Sources include XINHUA , BBC , WION , The Guardian , SoMe

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The article first appeared – in Finnish – in the online publication Ariel-Israelista suomeksi