Mediators say proposal would extend the ceasefire, gradually reopen Hormuz and ease pressure on Iranian ports, while delaying detailed nuclear negotiations for a later phaseThe reported framework is intended to prevent an immediate return to war while giving Washington and Tehran time to negotiate a broader agreement. It would include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an easing of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, limited sanctions relief and the phased release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.1 View gallery (Photo: Hamed Jafarnejad/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS, shutterstock, AP/Alex Brandon)Iran would also commit to discussing the future of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, including the possibility of diluting it or transferring it out of the country. That issue remains one of the main obstacles in the talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump demanding that Tehran hand over about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels and accept restrictions that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmael Baghaei said Saturday that Tehran was working on a “memorandum of understanding” to end the war as a first phase, before moving to more detailed talks within 30 to 60 days.“We are now finalizing this memorandum of understanding,” Baghaei said.A diplomat briefed on the negotiations told the Financial Times that the draft was now being reviewed by the Americans and that the talks appeared to be moving in a positive direction. The diplomat said Iran may be prepared to show greater flexibility on nuclear issues, but not while the war is ongoing.The latest diplomatic push followed intensive mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran for meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.In a statement, the Pakistani army described Munir’s visit as “short but highly productive” and said the discussions focused on advancing the consultative process in support of regional peace and stability.“Negotiations over the last twenty four hours have resulted in encouraging progress towards a final understanding,” the statement said.According to the Financial Times, Pakistani and Qatari mediators remained in regular contact with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff while speaking with the Iranian delegation, led by Ghalibaf and Araghchi.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim MunirGhalibaf told Munir that Tehran would not give up what it defines as its rights, especially in negotiations with the United States, which he said “has not been sincere and cannot be trusted,” according to Iranian media. He also said Iran would use diplomacy to protect its “legitimate rights and interests.”Baghaei described the talks as fragile, saying the sides were both “very far and very close” to an agreement. He said Iran remained cautious because of what it sees as shifting American positions, but added that the sides were moving toward a possible formula.“On one hand, we have the experience of the American side’s contradictory statements and shifting positions,” Baghaei said. “On the other hand, the views are getting closer, not in the sense that we have reached an agreement on such significant issues, but in the sense that we can reach a mutually satisfactory solution based on a set of parameters.”Trump has also demanded that Iran dismantle its three main nuclear sites, Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, which the U.S. bombed after joining Israel’s 12-day war against Iran last June. Much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to be buried beneath the damaged sites, mainly at Isfahan.The current talks are meant to preserve the fragile ceasefire reached on April 8. Trump said Monday that the United States had delayed a planned attack on Iran because “serious negotiations” were underway, adding that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had urged him to hold off.Gulf states fear that renewed U.S. and Israeli strikes could trigger Iranian retaliation across the region and further destabilize global energy markets. For that reason, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, has become a central element of the proposed arrangement.