US, Iran weigh 30-day ceasefire plan, reopening Strait of Hormuz; n-talks still in limbo

Iran and the US are discussing a temporary framework that could pause hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic and create space for broader negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme, the New York Times reported, citing three senior Iranian officials familiar with the talks.According to NYT, the proposed short-term arrangement would establish a 30-day pause in hostilities while both sides continue negotiations toward a broader and more permanent agreement. Discussions between the two sides remain ongoing, with negotiators exchanging proposals on the wording and structure of a possible long-term framework, the officials said.The proposed interim framework centres on three immediate steps: lifting the US blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial maritime traffic and ending ongoing military hostilities under a ceasefire agreement.More contentious issues, including sanctions relief, the long-term future of Iran’s nuclear programme and the release of frozen Iranian financial assets overseas, would be addressed during the proposed 30-day negotiation period, the officials added.One of the principal sticking points in the negotiations remains Washington’s demand for prior commitments regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to The New York Times.The Iranian officials said US negotiators are seeking an agreement in principle under which Iran would transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to the US, shut down three nuclear facilities and suspend uranium enrichment activities for 20 years.The officials also said Tehran is prepared to commit to not pursuing nuclear weapons and to suspend uranium enrichment, though discussions continue over the duration and terms of any such suspension.Tehran has instead proposed diluting part of its uranium stockpile while transferring the remainder to a third country, potentially Russia, the officials said.Under Iran’s proposal, uranium enrichment would be suspended for 10 to 15 years, though no agreement has reportedly been reached on the future of the three nuclear facilities.