Iran, US reach understandings on many issues, but deal not imminent

Iran said on Monday that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on many issues in exchanges over a deal for ending the war, but warned an agreement was not imminent.

"It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, during a weekly news briefing.

"But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim," he said, accusing Washington of shifting its positions.

Those comments come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiators had "a pretty solid thing on the table" and indicated that a peace deal could be reached on Monday.

But US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had told representatives "not to rush into a deal with Iran," hours after saying an agreement had been "largely negotiated," prompting media speculation about an announcement.

The deal, if reached, is expected to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to media reports.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said "constructive" talks were underway but "both sides must take their time and get it right."

According to Trump, negotiations were "proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner," and the relationship with Iran was becoming "much more professional and productive."

He pushed back against criticism by some fellow Republicans seeking a tougher approach on Iran as both sides seem close to a deal in recent weeks.

The strait's reopening would ease a worldwide energy crisis sparked by the US and Israeli bombardment of Iran on 28 February, which led Tehran to effectively close the waterway.

Since then, prices have spiked for oil, gas and related products, and experts have warned it would take several weeks or even months for shipping and prices to recover once the strait reopens.

Washington has blockaded Iranian ports for over a month, and Trump said it "will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed."

Emerging deal to include Iran giving up uranium

According to media reports, Tehran would agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under the potential deal, with some likely being diluted, while the rest would be transferred to a third country. According to some reports, Russia has offered to take it.

A US official confirmed the 60-day ceasefire period and said if Iran doesn’t give up its stockpile, there will be no sanctions relief.

Iran has 440.9 kilogrammes of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Despite details on the potential deal, Iran has not publicly committed to giving up its uranium, a key Trump demand.

Tehran has always insisted its programme is peaceful while enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels and asserts its right to nuclear technology.

President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV they were ready “to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon".

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told the state-run news agency there are “narrowing differences” between the Iranian and US positions, but Iran is cautious after being attacked twice in the past year during nuclear negotiations.

Twelve weeks have passed since the US and Israel attacked Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and dozens of other top officials. A ceasefire has held since 7 April, though the sides have exchanged fire on occasion.