Washingtn DC: A preliminary framework for a possible US-Iran agreement proposes transferring Tehran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country or lowering its enrichment levels, alongside reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping within seven days of an initial understanding, according to a report by Al Arabiya English.
The draft, which reportedly outlines key conditions for resuming diplomatic engagement, also identifies China as a potential guarantor to ensure the implementation and long-term sustainability of any agreement. It proposes holding direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Doha, Qatar, rather than Istanbul.
Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would undertake commitments concerning its nuclear programme and maritime security in exchange for corresponding US measures to ease sanctions, lift blockades and remove economic restrictions.
The framework also envisages an independent verification mechanism to assess compliance before each stage of implementation. This would ensure that neither side makes significant concessions without corresponding commitments from the other, verified independently.
A separate dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor countries has also been proposed to address delays or alleged violations and prevent the diplomatic process from collapsing into renewed military confrontation, Al Arabiya English reported.
Diplomatic efforts gathered pace on Friday after a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran to explore ways to restore a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.
The delegation, led by a senior adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, arrived on Friday morning for consultations in coordination 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 welcomed in Tehran as it proposed a fresh diplomatic route to prevent further US military strikes.
The developments come as US President Donald Trump has maintained that Washington is under no immediate pressure to end its military campaign against Iran, describing the confrontation as an unusual conflict in which the United States has the advantage of time.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that Tehran remained interested in negotiations but was facing mounting internal difficulties, including an alleged inability to pay military personnel and law enforcement officers.
“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 sought to play down the financial burden of the military campaign, claiming that Washington’s expenditure on the conflict had been relatively limited and had been offset several times over by gains elsewhere.
“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.
However, Trump did not provide figures or evidence to support his assertion about recovering the military expenditure through Venezuela-related developments.
Despite signalling an openness to negotiations, the US president has repeatedly kept the possibility of renewed military action on the table. He previously floated the prospect of launching “another little Epic Fury,” referring to the initial US military operation against Tehran, while also suggesting that a “big and good” agreement could still be reached.
The central disagreements between the two sides remain unresolved, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the US blockade of Iranian ports. This continues to cloud prospects for a lasting diplomatic settlement despite renewed international efforts.
Meanwhile, regional diplomatic engagement continued on Friday, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of a G20 ministerial gathering hosted by the United States.
According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, the discussions covered the ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, broader 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 exchange, Ankara conveyed its concerns over maritime security and reiterated its support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing regional tensions.
With Qatar, Turkey and other regional actors stepping up diplomatic outreach, the proposed framework offers a possible route towards de-escalation. However, Trump’s continued warnings of military action and the absence of agreement on key nuclear and economic conditions underline the uncertainty surrounding efforts to end the conflict.
