Iran: Progress in Dialogue with the US Does Not Mean an Immediate Agreement

JAKARTA - Iran and the United States (US) have reached an agreement on "most" of the issues discussed in the negotiations, but it does not mean that an agreement will be signed in the near future, said the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

"It is true that we have reached an agreement on most of the issues discussed," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters, Monday, according to the IRNA news agency.

"But if it is said that an agreement will be signed soon, no one should make such claims," he said, quoted by Anadolu.

Baqhaei said the progress reported in recent days was the result of weeks of negotiations through Pakistani mediation, although a number of other countries also played a major role in the process.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the responsibility for managing this strategic sea route lies with the coastal country.

"Tehran continues to communicate with countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to maintain security and protect their interests," he said.

The statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry official was made following US President Donald Trump's statement on Saturday last week, a peace deal with Iran "has largely been negotiated" and will soon be finalized.

Tensions in the Gulf region have increased following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran in February. Tehran responded by launching a retaliatory attack against Israel and US allies in the region and closing the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was reached on May 8 through Pakistani mediation, with President Trump then extending the ceasefire for an unspecified period.