US-Iran draft deal proposes uranium transfer, reopening of Strait of Hormuz

A preliminary framework for a possible US-Iran agreement has reportedly proposed relocating Tehran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to a mutually agreed third country or lowering its enrichment levels. The draft also envisages reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic within seven days of an initial understanding between the two sides. The proposals also envisage direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Doha, replacing Istanbul as the proposed venue, as per a report by Al Arabiya. China will reportedly serve as a guarantor to oversee the implementation and long-term sustainability of an eventual agreement, according to the news platform.

The framework seeks to establish a phased arrangement under which concessions by either side would be contingent on independently verified commitments from the other, states the Al Arabiya report. Iran's undertakings on its nuclear programme and maritime security would be matched by US measures to ease sanctions, blockades and other economic restrictions, it has been further learnt from the report. The draft also envisages a dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor countries to address implementation delays or violations and prevent disagreements from triggering another round of military escalation, stated Al Arabiya.

Diplomatic efforts to revive a ceasefire gathered momentum on Friday, with a Qatari delegation arriving in Tehran for consultations with Iranian officials, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. The team, led by a senior adviser to Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, reportedly travelled to the Iranian capital in coordination with Washington as part of efforts to restore a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. The delegation also delivered a letter from US Vice President JD Vance to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei. The communication was reportedly received positively in Tehran for outlining a fresh diplomatic pathway aimed at preventing further American military strikes.

The latest outreach comes amid renewed attempts by regional powers to facilitate dialogue between the two adversaries, even as fundamental disagreements over Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions and the US blockade of Iranian ports continue to complicate negotiations. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has mentioned that Washington is in no hurry to bring the conflict to an end, arguing that the U.S. has the advantage of time despite months of hostilities and repeated diplomatic efforts. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that Tehran remained interested in negotiations but was facing serious domestic financial difficulties.

"There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking," he 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," Trump added. The US president also sought to play down the financial burden of the military campaign, claiming that Washington's expenditure on the conflict was relatively small and had been offset by gains elsewhere. "We're spending very little money, relatively speaking," he said, adding that the United States had recovered its expenditure "by 10 times" through Venezuela.

Trump did not provide figures or evidence to support the assertion. His comments lay bare the gap between Washington's public position and the renewed diplomatic activity aimed at securing a settlement. Despite signalling that an agreement remains possible, Trump has repeatedly kept the prospect of further military action alive. He had previously suggested that Washington could launch "another little Epic Fury", referring to the initial US military operation against Iran. On other occasions, he has indicated that a "big and good" agreement could still emerge from negotiations. The latest remarks have therefore done little to clarify Washington's immediate military or diplomatic objectives, particularly as both sides remain divided over the conditions for ending hostilities.

Parallel diplomatic efforts also continued through Ankara, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday on the sidelines of a G20 ministerial gathering hosted in the United States. According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, the discussions covered the negotiations between Washington and Tehran, 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 exchange, Ankara conveyed its concerns over maritime security and expressed support for diplomatic initiatives to reduce regional tensions.

With Qatar facilitating communication, Turkey engaging Washington and the proposed framework identifying a possible role for China, diplomatic efforts are increasingly involving multiple regional and international actors. However, the proposed arrangements remain at the preliminary framework stage, with no confirmed agreement from either Washington or Tehran on the key terms. The prospects of a breakthrough will depend on whether both sides can reconcile their positions on nuclear restrictions, maritime access and sanctions relief.