Iran says US draft framework proposes reopening Strait of Hormuz shipping

DUBAI: Iran’s state television said on Wednesday that Tehran had obtained a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a possible memorandum of understanding with the United States, under which commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would be restored to pre-war levels within a month.

According to the reported framework, the United States would withdraw military forces from areas near Iran and lift what Tehran has described as a naval blockade. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, and any disruption to traffic through the waterway carries major implications for global energy supplies and commercial shipping.

Separately, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said negotiations with the United States were still ongoing, but stressed that no final agreement had been reached on the Strait of Hormuz. The council said discussions were continuing, but the matter had not yet moved into a concluded arrangement.

The council also clarified that Iran and the United States were not currently holding talks on the nuclear issue. It said the ongoing engagement was focused on other matters, including developments linked to the Strait of Hormuz and regional security arrangements.

The latest statements suggest that while diplomatic communication between Tehran and Washington is continuing, both sides remain short of a formal deal. Iran’s comments also appear aimed at separating the Hormuz discussions from the wider nuclear dispute, which has long been a central point of tension between the two countries.