WASHINGTON (Realist English). The United States is seeking to hold talks with Iran as early as this or next week, while acknowledging the war may last longer than initially planned, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff said.
Speaking at an investment forum in Miami on March 27, Witkoff said Washington expects negotiations to move into direct meetings in the coming days. “We think meetings will happen this week. We certainly hope so,” he said, without specifying the exact timeline.
Witkoff confirmed that the United States has presented Iran with a 15-point proposal, which he said could resolve the conflict if accepted. According to U.S. officials cited by Axios, the proposal includes provisions aimed at halting uranium enrichment to prevent further nuclear escalation.
The envoy also indicated that the deadline for Iran to respond has been extended, describing the move as a “real positive.” He pointed to recent Iranian actions allowing some vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a potential signal of de-escalation.
“President Trump wants a peaceful agreement. But without pressure, no one comes to the negotiating table,” Witkoff said, emphasizing that Washington remains open to a diplomatic resolution while maintaining military leverage.
At the same time, U.S. officials are revising expectations for the duration of the conflict. According to sources, the administration now believes the war could extend beyond the initially anticipated 4–6 weeks.
During a meeting with G7 foreign ministers marking the fourth week of the conflict, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said achieving U.S. objectives could require an additional 2–4 weeks. He also reiterated that deploying ground troops is not under consideration.
Fighting continues despite diplomatic efforts. The Israeli military has conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear-related facilities, while Iran has responded with multiple missile attacks on Israeli territory. On March 27, Iranian forces launched at least six waves of missile strikes, though details on targets and damage remain limited.
Analytically, the parallel tracks of diplomacy and escalation reflect a strategy aimed at forcing negotiations under pressure, while keeping options open as battlefield dynamics evolve.
The key uncertainty is whether Iran will engage with the U.S. proposal or continue military operations, potentially prolonging the conflict and complicating diplomatic efforts.
