Iran’s Esmail Baqai Says Deal With U.S. Not Imminent After Talks Conclusion

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said in Tehran on Monday that while the sides had reached a conclusion on a large portion of issues under discussion, a deal with the United States was "not imminent".

“US officials say a deal has been agreed in principle with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though nothing has been signed yet and any agreement would require final sign-off from President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader”

Al Jazeera

Baqai said, "But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent - no-one can make such a claim," after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the Indian capital, Delhi: "We thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today."

Al Jazeera

The reported memorandum of understanding involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a plan for further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, even as Rubio cautioned, "I wouldn't read too much into it".

NBC News reported that Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the focus of negotiations was on ending the war and that "at this stage we are not discussing the details of the nuclear issue."

The emerging framework described by US officials would give the two sides 60 days to reach a full peace deal, with the Strait of Hormuz "de-mined and back open for business" as the U.S. gradually lifts its naval blockade.

In the same reporting, the agreement would commit Iran to not developing a nuclear weapon and to giving up the "nuclear dust"—Trump’s term for enriched uranium—while leaving details on how this may happen to talks over the following 60 days.

AP News

Reuters and other coverage tied the diplomacy to the conflict that began after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, which Iran responded to by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.

AP reported that Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, and that President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV they were ready "to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon."

The talks have been shaped by US political debate, with Senator Ted Cruz calling the reported 60-day ceasefire "a disastrous mistake" and Roger Wicker saying it would mean "everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for naught!".

“Deal with US not imminent, Iran says Iran says some progress has been reached in talks with the US, but a deal "is not imminent"”

BBC

Trump responded by saying he did not "listen to the losers, who are critical about something they know nothing about" and wrote on Truth Social, "If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one," as oil prices fell sharply and Asian stock markets rose on Monday on hopes of an agreement.

AP said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was in Beijing on Monday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Reuters described negotiations mediated through Pakistan as Baqaei said developments reported over recent days were the result of several weeks of negotiations mediated through Pakistan.

PBS reported that Trump said Saturday the deal had been "largely negotiated" after calls with Israel and other allies, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the draft was a "framework agreement" and that nuclear issues are not part of current negotiations, adding, "Our focus at this stage is on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon".