TEHRAN: Iran has sent its response to a US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict through mediator Pakistan, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

The report said the proposed framework would begin with negotiations focused on ending hostilities and ensuring maritime security in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

A Pakistani diplomatic source told international media that Pakistan had already conveyed Iran’s response to the United States.

Earlier this week, Washington presented Tehran with a 14-point proposal.

Under the terms, Iran would be required to halt uranium enrichment for at least 12 years, abandon efforts to develop nuclear weapons, and surrender around 440kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

In exchange, the US would gradually ease sanctions on Iran, release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The diplomatic developments come ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China next week.

China remains one of the largest importers of Iranian oil and holds major strategic interests in the region.

The US and Iran have continued exchanging fire in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, although neither side has declared the collapse of the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

Trump has claimed Iran is “collapsing financially” and losing millions of dollars daily due to Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports, which began on April 13 at 14:00 GMT.