A Pakistani source involved in mediating between the U.S. and Iran said on Friday there was progress in backdoor diplomacy and that an upcoming meeting between the two sides could result in the signing of a MoU, followed by a comprehensive deal within 60 days.
“Both sides are agreeing in principle. And technical bits come later,” the source said on condition of anonymity.
One of the key sticking points has been over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, with the U.S. proposing at last weekend’s talks a 20-year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activity. Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.
Iran has demanded international sanctions on it be lifted and Washington has pressed for any highly enriched uranium to be removed from Iran. Two Iranian sources have said there were signs of a compromise on the HEU stockpile, with Tehran considering shipping part of it out of the country.
Trump told reporters outside the White House on Thursday that Iran had agreed to “give us back the nuclear dust”, but Iran’s state media outlet Mizan disputed that claim on Friday, highlighting ongoing differences.
No negotiation regarding the “transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium to America had ever taken place, and naturally there is no agreement on this matter either”, it said, citing sources.
Trump said that a two-week ceasefire, which ends next week, could be extended, although he did not believe that would be necessary as Tehran wanted a deal.
“We’re going to see what happens. But I think we’re very close to making a deal with Iran,” he told reporters, adding if an agreement was reached and signed in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, he may go there for the occasion.
France and Britain are chairing a meeting of 40 countries to tell the US they can help restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.
