A preliminary framework for renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran reportedly proposes the transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile to a mutually agreed third country, or alternatively reducing its enrichment levels as part of a broader diplomatic settlement.

The draft proposal also outlines the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic within seven days of an initial understanding being reached between Washington and Tehran. The waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime corridors, carrying a substantial share of global energy shipments.

According to details of the framework, China could potentially serve as a guarantor for the implementation and long-term sustainability of any eventual agreement. The proposal further recommends that direct negotiations between the United States and Iran be held in Doha rather than Istanbul.

Under the proposed arrangement, Iranian steps concerning its nuclear activities and maritime security commitments would be matched by corresponding American measures aimed at easing sanctions, economic restrictions and blockades. The framework is designed around a reciprocal approach intended to ensure that concessions by either side are balanced by equivalent actions from the other.

A central feature of the proposal is the creation of an independent verification mechanism. Compliance would be assessed before each phase of implementation, ensuring that neither Washington nor Tehran undertakes significant commitments without corresponding measures being independently verified.

The draft additionally calls for a dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor parties. The objective would be to address delays, disagreements or violations while reducing the risk of renewed military escalation.

The proposal emerged as diplomatic efforts intensified across the region. According to Iranian media reports, a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran for consultations aimed at restoring a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The delegation was led by a senior adviser to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and was operating in coordination with Washington.

Reports also indicated that the Qatari envoys delivered a letter from US Vice President JD Vance to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei.

The communication was reportedly welcomed in Tehran because it offered a fresh diplomatic pathway intended to prevent further American military strikes.

The framework has surfaced amid continuing tensions between the two countries and follows months of conflict and unsuccessful diplomatic initiatives. Against this backdrop, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington was in no rush to conclude its confrontation with Iran, describing the situation as “not a typical war” and arguing that time remained on the American side.

“There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump also claimed that Iran was facing significant internal economic difficulties. “But look, they're not paying their soldiers, they're not paying their police. They're in a lot of trouble. And we have time, frankly. It's a war, but it's not a typical war; we've been there for seven months,” he said.

The US President further argued that the financial burden on Washington had been limited. “We're spending very little money, relatively speaking. I heard somebody say, you're spending money. I said, well, any money we spent, we've more than made up for in a place called Venezuela, like by 10 times...” he remarked, although he did not provide figures to support the claim.

Despite repeatedly indicating that diplomatic engagement remains possible, Trump has continued to raise the prospect of additional military action. He previously suggested that the United States could launch “another little Epic Fury” operation against Iran while also maintaining that a “big and good” agreement could still be achieved.

The latest developments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the future course of the crisis. Although Trump has asserted that Tehran is interested in negotiations, substantial disagreements persist over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and restrictions affecting Iranian ports.

Diplomatic engagement continued on Friday when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a G20 ministerial gathering in the United States. Their discussions covered the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, wider regional developments and bilateral relations.

The meeting followed a telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump earlier in the week. During the call, Ankara emphasised its close monitoring of maritime routes and expressed support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at easing regional tensions.

Turkey has joined other regional stakeholders in engaging with Washington to explore possible paths towards de-escalation. However, Trump’s insistence that the United States has ample time, combined with continuing warnings of possible military action, underlines the fragile nature of any prospective diplomatic breakthrough.

ANI