Decision on Deal with U.S. in Iran's Hands: Official English: Decision on Deal with U.S. in Iran's Hands: Official

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Ministry officials said on Thursday, any decision on the proposed memorandum of understanding with the United States is in the hands of the country's authorized authorities, dismissing reports on the time and location of a possible signing ceremony amid media speculation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the focus should remain on the country's formal decision-making process.

"These issues should be seen in the context of media speculation," Baqaei said, according to the official IRNA news agency, Anadolu (12/6).

"The important point is that after the final decision is reached, the information will be provided," he continued.

"The decision-making process in our country is completely clear. The competent authorities must reach a final decision on the text of the memorandum of understanding and any potential agreement in detail," he said.

"After the final decision is reached, we will issue an official statement," Baqaei said.

He explained, problems related to the form and mechanism of signing any agreement will be discussed at a later stage.

"Regarding other matters related to this matter, including the form of signing a memorandum of understanding, will be discussed later," said Baqaei.

"What you've heard so far about these things is mostly media speculation," he said.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned military strike against Iran on Thursday night and indications from Iranian media that a draft understanding was being reviewed by senior decision-making bodies.

Iran's Fars News Agency reported that the possibility of approval by Iran's highest decision-making authorities was "relatively high" after the US "accepted" Iran's proposed text for an agreement.

President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, "we just made a big settlement of the war with Iran, and we will be subject to the finalization of the documents, which should be completed in the next few days. There may be a signing, maybe in Europe."