US President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran are "getting a lot closer" to an agreement to end the war in the Middle East. In a phone interview with CBS on Saturday, Trump warned that without a deal, "there will be a situation where no country will ever be hit as hard as they're about to be hit."
Regional officials and a diplomat, speaking anonymously, confirmed a memorandum of understanding is within reach. Iran signaled narrowing differences after Pakistan's army chief held talks in Tehran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India that progress has been made and that an announcement could come within 48 hours.
Iran described the draft as a "framework agreement," with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying the positions have moved closer in recent days. He stressed that nuclear issues are not part of the current negotiations, as Tehran first seeks to end the war. Baghaei said lifting sanctions on Iran "has explicitly been included in the text and remains our fixed position."
Rubio, in New Delhi, reiterated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and must turn over its highly enriched uranium, and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.
Trump has held off on a military strike against Iran, citing serious negotiations at the request of Middle Eastern allies. The US and Israel began the war on February 28, abruptly ending talks with Iran. Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas, triggering global economic disruptions. The US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13.