Qatar Advances New Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and Restart Nuclear Talks

Qatar is advancing a new framework to end the conflict between the United States and Iran, focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming international oversight of Iran's nuclear program. According to a report published in the British newspaper The Guardian, the proposal includes the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade and the release of frozen Iranian assets, in exchange for Tehran allowing inspectors into nuclear facilities damaged in recent strikes. Currently, no formal agreement has been reached between the parties.

Under the proposal, the United States would first lift its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and release part of Iran's frozen assets, totaling approximately eight billion dollars. In exchange, Iran would permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit bombed nuclear facilities, including sites holding high-enriched uranium stockpiles. However, the framework does not require Iran to remove uranium stockpiles from its territory, though lowering the enrichment level is being considered. The resumption of inspections would build upon a previous agreement reached in Cairo in September 2025.

Tehran has attached additional conditions to the reopening of the strait, including an end to the war in Lebanon, the withdrawal of US forces from the Iranian coastline, commitments to lift economic sanctions, and the payment of war reparations. A central point of contention remains the sequencing of these reciprocal obligations. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has been personally involved in indirect talks over the past two weeks, holding daily discussions with Qatari and regional mediators to secure a ceasefire and restart nuclear negotiations.