Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Oct 31: A preliminary framework for negotiations between the United States and Iran proposes transferring Tehran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country or reducing its enrichment level, alongside reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to international shipping within seven days of an initial understanding, according to a report by Al Arabiya English.
The draft framework, which reportedly outlines key points for a possible agreement, also suggests that China could act as a guarantor to ensure the implementation and long-term sustainability of any deal. It proposes holding direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Doha instead of Istanbul.
Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would take measures concerning its nuclear programme and maritime security, while the United States would respond by easing sanctions, blockades and other economic restrictions.
The framework envisages an independent verification mechanism to assess compliance before each phase of implementation. This would ensure that neither side makes significant concessions without corresponding commitments from the other that can be independently verified.
It also proposes a dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor countries to address delays or violations and prevent a renewed military escalation.
Diplomatic efforts gathered momentum on Friday as a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran to explore ways to revive a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, 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 in coordination with Washington for consultations with Iranian officials.
The visit followed reports that US Vice-President JD Vance had sent a letter to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei through Qatari mediators. The communication reportedly proposed a fresh diplomatic process to prevent further US military action against Iran.
However, President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the letter was intended to help facilitate medical supplies to Iran, rather than restart peace negotiations. Reports on its purpose and Tehran's response have therefore remained mixed.
Meanwhile, Trump has maintained that Washington is in no hurry to end the conflict, describing it as “not a typical war” and claiming that the United States has time on its side despite months of hostilities and repeated diplomatic efforts.
“There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“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 also played down the financial cost of the military campaign, claiming that Washington was spending relatively little and had recovered its expenditure many times over through developments in Venezuela. He did not provide figures or evidence to support the assertion.
Trump's remarks came amid continued uncertainty over the possibility of renewed military action. He has previously suggested that the United States could launch “another little Epic Fury”, referring to the initial military operation against Iran, while also indicating that a major agreement could still be reached.
Despite the renewed diplomatic outreach, Washington and Tehran remain divided over key issues, including Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions and the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Regional diplomatic efforts also continued in Atlanta, where Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The discussions included negotiations between Washington and Tehran, developments in Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and bilateral relations, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
The meeting followed a recent telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump. Ankara has expressed support for diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions and stressed the importance of securing maritime routes.
With Qatar and other regional players seeking to facilitate dialogue, the proposed framework signals another attempt to find a diplomatic way out of the conflict. However, the differences between the two sides and the continued possibility of military escalation leave the prospects of an agreement uncertain.