“The focus of the negotiations is on ending the war, and at this stage we are not discussing nuclear issues,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Iran on Monday said that progress has been made in the indirect discussions with the US on ending the war, but a deal is “not imminent” as suggested by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Delhi earlier today.
According to the Iranian state media, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said, “It is true that we have reached understandings on many of the subjects under discussion, but no one can claim that the signing of an agreement is imminent.”
Advertisement
He, however, clarified that the talks are centred around “ending aggression” and that the nuclear issue and the management of the Strait of Hormuz are not part of the memorandum of understanding.
Advertisement
“The focus of the negotiations is on ending the war, and at this stage we are not discussing nuclear issues,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz management, he stated that it is a matter concerning Iran and Oman.
“How this region should be managed concerns the littoral states,” he asserted.
Baqai, however, clarified that Iran was “not seeking to impose tolls” on ships crossing the chokepoint waterway, but noted that services and environmental protection measures naturally involve costs.
He also said that the US “must stop” its military blockade in the Strait and Iran would “adopt measures to ensure safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Earlier today, Rubio told reporters in Delhi that a deal could be reached today. “We thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today,” he said.
Cautioning, “I wouldn’t read too much into it”, Rubio further added that “It takes a little while to hear back from Iran.”
Advertisement
