Mar 24, 2026 18:28 pm IST

Opinion | What Iran Might Really Demand From Trump Before It Backs Down

The proposed framework, if it indeed mandates the physical removal of enriched uranium, possibly with external facilitation, marks a significant escalation in demands compared to earlier nuclear agreements.

Harsh V. Pant Harsh V. Pant

As the fourth week of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran unfolds in March 2026, what is emerging is not merely another episode of kinetic escalation in the Middle East, but a familiar interplay between coercion and diplomacy that has long defined Washington's engagement with Tehran. President Donald Trump, never one to shy away from grand declarations, has signalled movement toward what he calls a "comprehensive resolution" even as the fog of war continues to obscure both intent and outcome.

The trajectory to this moment has been predictable in its broad contours. Deadlines issued in 2025 demanding Iran's complete nuclear rollback - cessation of enrichment, dismantling of infrastructure, and abandonment of proxy networks - were never likely to be met on American terms. The subsequent resort to force, led by Israeli strikes and reinforced by US strikes on nuclear and leadership targets, reflects a classic escalation ladder: diplomacy first as an ultimatum, then as justification for military action. Tehran, for its part, has stayed consistent in its........

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