Iran says progress made in talks with US but no final deal is imminent
Iran says it has reached understandings on many issues in talks with Washington over a possible agreement, but has warned that a final deal is not close. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that a large portion of the issues under discussion had been concluded, while stressing that no one could claim an agreement was imminent. He also accused Washington of shifting its positions during the negotiations.
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The comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiators had "a pretty solid thing on the table" and suggested a peace deal could be reached on Monday. US President Donald Trump also said he had told representatives not to rush into a deal, after earlier saying an agreement had been largely negotiated. Trump later wrote that talks were constructive and that both sides should take their time and get it right.
The reported deal would have significant practical consequences if it is completed. According to the material provided, it is expected to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and involve Iran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The reopening of the strait would matter for global energy flows, after the waterway was effectively closed following the US and Israeli bombardment of Iran on 28 February, which triggered a wider energy crisis.
The negotiations also carry wider strategic weight because they touch on one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes and on Iran's nuclear material. The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for oil, gas and related products, and the supplied material says prices have already spiked while the route has been shut. Experts cited in the source warned that shipping and prices could take weeks or even months to recover once the strait reopens.
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The talks appear to be part of a broader effort to settle the conflict through diplomacy after weeks of pressure on both sides. Trump said the relationship with Iran was becoming more professional and productive, while also pushing back against criticism from some fellow Republicans who want a tougher approach. The source also says Washington has blockaded Iranian ports for more than a month and that the blockade will remain in force until an agreement is reached, certified and signed.
What remains unclear is whether the reported understandings will be enough to produce a signed agreement, and how quickly any final text could be completed. The source indicates that some of Iran's highly enriched uranium could be diluted and the rest transferred to a third country, with Russia mentioned in some reports as a possible recipient. For now, the main issue to watch is whether the current momentum in talks can survive the remaining disputes and produce a formal deal.
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