A fresh diplomatic initiative to end the US-Iran confrontation could see Tehran transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country and reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz to international shipping within seven days of an initial understanding, according to a reported draft negotiating framework.
The preliminary proposal, obtained by Al Arabiya English and reported by multiple media outlets, outlines reciprocal commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme and maritime security in exchange for Washington easing sanctions, blockades and other economic restrictions.
The framework also identifies China as a potential guarantor of an eventual agreement, raising the possibility of Beijing playing a direct role in monitoring the implementation of a US-Iran understanding.
Another significant development is the proposed shift of direct negotiations from Istanbul to Doha, where Qatar has intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
The proposals come amid continuing military tensions, uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire and disagreements over the sequencing of nuclear concessions and sanctions relief.
Uranium stockpile and Hormuz become central to negotiations
The proposed framework reportedly gives Iran two options concerning its highly enriched uranium stockpile: transferring it to an agreed third country or reducing its enrichment levels.
The issue is central to Washington’s concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The United States has sought specific and verifiable commitments to prevent Iran from retaining the ability to rapidly produce weapons-grade nuclear material.
Iran, however, has resisted surrendering its nuclear leverage without concrete guarantees that Washington will fulfil its commitments, particularly on sanctions relief.
The proposed seven-day timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz is another crucial component.
The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, carrying a substantial share of internationally traded oil and liquefied natural gas.
Any prolonged disruption has implications for global crude prices, shipping costs, insurance premiums and energy security, particularly for major importers such as India.
Under the reported framework, Iran’s commitments on nuclear activities and maritime security would be matched by US measures to ease sanctions, blockades and economic restrictions.
The draft also proposes independent verification before each stage of implementation. This mechanism is intended to prevent either side from making major concessions without confirmation that the other has fulfilled its corresponding obligations.
A separate dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor countries has also been proposed to address disagreements, implementation delays or alleged violations.
China’s potential role as a guarantor is particularly significant because Beijing maintains diplomatic and economic relations with Tehran while also having substantial interests in uninterrupted energy supplies through the Gulf.
However, there is no confirmation that China has formally accepted such a role.
Qatar and Turkey intensify diplomatic outreach
Diplomatic activity gathered pace on Friday after a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran for consultations aimed at restoring a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the delegation was led by a senior adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister and was coordinating its efforts with Washington.
The Qatari envoys also reportedly delivered a letter from US Vice-President JD Vance to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei.
The communication was seen as a fresh diplomatic opening to prevent further American military action, according to reports.
Vance’s involvement is noteworthy because he has emerged as a key figure in efforts to revive negotiations after an earlier diplomatic understanding failed to produce a lasting settlement.
Turkey has also stepped up its engagement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in the United States on Friday.
According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, their discussions covered negotiations between Washington and Tehran, regional developments and bilateral relations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also spoken to Trump earlier in the week, with Ankara conveying concerns over maritime security and supporting diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.
The proposed move from Istanbul to Doha would give Qatar a more prominent role in facilitating direct negotiations.
Trump says Washington is in no hurry to end conflict
Despite the diplomatic activity, Trump has maintained that the United States is not under pressure to end its confrontation with Iran.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said Tehran remained interested in negotiations but was facing serious domestic financial difficulties.
“There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking,” Trump said.
“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 added.
Trump also played down the financial cost of the American military campaign, claiming that Washington had more than recovered its expenditure through gains elsewhere, including Venezuela. He did not provide figures to substantiate the assertion.
The US president has continued to leave open the possibility of renewed military action if negotiations fail.
The diplomatic challenge is therefore not merely reaching an understanding on uranium and shipping routes. Both countries must agree on the order in which concessions will be implemented and how compliance will be independently verified.
Iran has also maintained that its broader conditions, including sanctions relief and an end to fighting across regional fronts, must be addressed.
A previous understanding involving the reopening of Hormuz and subsequent nuclear negotiations collapsed, deepening Tehran’s distrust of Washington’s implementation commitments.
The latest framework offers another possible route out of the confrontation, but its success will depend on whether both sides accept the proposed guarantees and verification arrangements.
For global energy markets, the seven-day Hormuz proposal is likely to attract particular attention. For India, which depends heavily on imported energy, a credible reopening of the waterway could have significant implications for crude supplies, shipping expenses and inflation.
For now, however, the proposal remains a negotiating framework rather than a concluded agreement. Whether it can prevent another escalation will depend on the response from Tehran and Washington in the coming days.