Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Friday that Tehran has reached understandings on the majority of issues discussed with the United States and is currently conducting final internal reviews of a proposed agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Baghaei, speaking on state television, confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's remarks about the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding being "never been closer" accurately reflected the current state of negotiations. Baghaei emphasized that understandings have been reached on most issues and that they are in the final stage of internal reviews.
Meetings involving relevant Iranian institutions are ongoing to examine the draft text and determine Tehran's final position. Baghaei noted that while an agreement could have been reached weeks ago, the US side repeatedly changed its positions, issued contradictory statements, and introduced new demands, which prolonged the process. He rejected accusations that Iran lacked goodwill, asserting that Tehran approached the talks constructively.
The spokesman declined to confirm media reports on the contents of the negotiations, stating that "none of the published reports can be officially confirmed" and that details would be announced once a final conclusion is reached. The decision-making process requires consensus among relevant authorities and institutions before any agreement can be approved.
The remarks came hours after Araghchi posted on the US social media platform X, emphasizing that the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding "has never been closer" and urging media outlets to refrain from speculation until the process is finalized. The Pakistan-mediated negotiations have focused on ending hostilities between Iran and the United States, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic, and reaching a consensus on Iran's nuclear program. Iranian officials have stated that a large portion of the text has been agreed upon, while accusing Washington of delaying progress through shifting positions and contradictory statements.