Top negotiator says Iran would not accept administration emands; 15-point framework circulated via Pakistan mediator

Steve Woodcuff, who reported on pre-strike diplomacy, told the President that negotiators pursued a diplomatic resolution "prior to Operation Epic Fury" but concluded Iran's negotiating team "had not given their negotiating team authority to make a deal required by you." Woodcuff said the team heard Iran assert a right to enrich and claimed Iran possessed high-enriched material, citing an administration figure of "460 kilograms" at 60% enrichment—remarks offered by Woodcuff in his report to the President.

Woodcuff said the administration circulated a "15 action list" as the framework for a peace deal and that Pakistan acted as a mediator in passing the proposal; he said details are sensitive and that the President directed confidentiality. Woodcuff characterized the framework as a potential off-ramp if Iran chose to accept it; he and other advisers said the military pressure improved negotiating leverage but that, during the recorded remarks, Iran had not agreed to the administration's stated preconditions.