US-Iran Ceasefire by March 2026: 42% Market Probability as $9.5M Volume Tracks Conflict Resolution

$9.5 million. That's how much prediction market traders have wagered on whether the US-Iran conflict will reach a ceasefire — with the market currently pricing in just a 42% probability of peace by March's end.

Key Takeaways

42% ceasefire probability per Polymarket's $9.5M market — traders lean toward continued conflict

Operation Epic Fury fundamentally reshaped the calculus, eliminating Iran's nuclear threat but escalating regional tensions

No clear diplomatic off-ramp has emerged, with neither side signaling willingness for talks

Resolution by March 31 is the market's deadline — a tight window for de-escalation

The stakes couldn't be higher. Following the US-Israel joint military operation "Epic Fury" that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and ballistic missile arsenals, the question isn't whether the conflict ends — it's when and on whose terms.

Current Market State

Here's the thing: $9.5 million in trading volume doesn't lie. Prediction markets have become remarkably accurate at forecasting geopolitical outcomes because money talks louder than punditry.

The US x Iran ceasefire by...? market on Polymarket currently shows traders pricing in a 42% probability of a ceasefire agreement by the end of March 2026. That's essentially a coin flip — but tilted toward continued hostilities.

According to the White House statement on Operation Epic Fury, the US-Israel joint operation was designed to "eliminate the imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime, destroy its ballistic missile arsenal, degrade its proxy terror networks, and cripple its naval forces." That's not the language of a limited engagement.

Key Data

The numbers tell a story the headlines miss:

Indicator | Value | Signal
Current Probability | 42% | Leaning No (conflict continues)
Trading Volume | $9.5M | High confidence in market pricing
Market Liquidity | $455K | Deep market, reliable price discovery
End Date | March 31, 2026 | ~27 days remaining
Recent Catalyst | Operation Epic Fury (Mar 1) | Major escalation

That top row — 42% with high volume — is the one that matters. When nearly $10 million backs a probability, you're not looking at speculation. You're looking at informed money.

Odds Movement & Timeline

Two weeks ago, before Operation Epic Fury, this market didn't exist. The conflict escalation was the catalyst that created it.

The launch of military operations on March 1, 2026, fundamentally altered the geopolitical calculus. Prior to the strikes, US-Iran relations existed in a state of "managed tension" — sanctions, proxy conflicts, rhetorical escalations. The military operation shifted the dynamic to active combat.

Key inflection points:

March 1, 2026: Operation Epic Fury launched — US-Israel forces strike Iranian nuclear and military targets

March 2-4, 2026: Market opens, initial pricing at ~35% ceasefire probability

Current (March 4): Probability drifted up to 42% as traders assess diplomatic off-ramps

The 7-point drift upward suggests some traders are betting on the possibility that overwhelming military pressure forces Iran to the negotiating table. But the majority position remains bearish on peace.

Analysis

If you're trying to handicap this market, you need to consider three scenarios:

Scenario 1: Iranian Regime Collapse (18% probability per related market) A separate Polymarket shows an 18% probability of the Iranian regime falling by March 31. If the regime collapses, does a ceasefire happen? Possibly — but it depends on who fills the power vacuum and whether they're willing to negotiate.

Scenario 2: Decisive Military Victory (42% ceasefire implies ~58% continued conflict) The majority position assumes neither side achieves a decisive victory in the next 27 days. Operation Epic Fury may have degraded Iran's capabilities, but asymmetrical warfare can continue indefinitely through proxy networks and regional allies.

Scenario 3: Diplomatic Off-Ramp Here's where the 42% probability lives: the possibility that international pressure, back-channel negotiations, or Iranian concessions create a face-saving exit for both sides. The question is whether either side wants an exit.

The administration's "Peace Through Strength" doctrine, as outlined in recent White House communications, suggests a preference for military victory over negotiated settlement. That tilts the board against a near-term ceasefire.

Settlement Criteria

This market resolves "Yes" if the US and Iran announce a formal ceasefire agreement by March 31, 2026, as reported by major news outlets (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg, or official government statements). The market resolves "No" if no such agreement is reached by that date.

Important nuance: A "ceasefire" typically requires mutual agreement to halt hostilities. A unilateral pause in operations by one side would not necessarily qualify.

What to Watch

March 10, 2026: UN Security Council emergency session — any resolution could pressure negotiations

March 15, 2026: Expected Iranian response to initial strikes — a major retaliation would crater ceasefire odds

Key threshold: If probability drops below 25%, the market is essentially calling it: no ceasefire

Wild card: Third-party mediation (Qatar, Oman, China) could emerge as an unexpected diplomatic channel

FAQ

What is the current probability of a US-Iran ceasefire?

Polymarket traders currently price in a 42% probability of a ceasefire by March 31, 2026, with $9.5 million in trading volume backing this assessment.

What triggered the current US-Iran conflict?

Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-Israel military operation launched on March 1, 2026, targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile arsenals, and proxy networks. This marked a shift from "managed tension" to active combat.

How does the market resolve?

The market resolves "Yes" if both parties announce a formal ceasefire agreement by March 31, 2026, as reported by major news outlets. Unilateral pauses or temporary halts would not qualify.

Prediction

Direction: Bearish on Ceasefire | Probability: 35% | Horizon: 27 days (March 31, 2026) Answer: No

The market's 42% probability feels optimistic. Military operations of this scale don't typically end in negotiated settlements within 27 days — they end when one side can't fight anymore. With Iran's regime fighting for survival and the US committed to "eliminating" the nuclear threat, the path to a ceasefire requires concessions that neither side appears willing to make.

How to Trade This

This prediction trades on Polymarket. Buy "Yes" shares at 42¢ (42% implied probability) if you believe diplomatic pressure will force a negotiated settlement. Buy "No" at 58¢ if you expect continued hostilities through March 31.

Each share pays $1 if correct, $0 if wrong. Sell anytime before resolution.

Risk Warning: Prediction market odds reflect the collective assessment of market participants and should not be interpreted as definitive forecasts. Markets with lower trading volume may be susceptible to manipulation by well-capitalized participants. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or gambling advice. Only trade what you can afford to lose.