Iran reports progress in US talks but warns agreement not imminent

Iran has confirmed progress in negotiations with the United States but cautioned against excessive expectations regarding an imminent agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated during a weekly press briefing on Monday that Tehran and Washington had reached conclusions on a large portion of the issues under discussion. However, he emphasized that this does not mean the signing of an agreement is imminent.

The current talks are focused on ending the ongoing conflict rather than nuclear issues, according to Iranian officials. Baghaei indicated that the negotiations are part of a potential memorandum of understanding but warned against premature conclusions about the timing of any possible signing. He cited frequent changes in US positions as a major obstacle complicating the negotiation process.

From the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the negotiations as 'a work in progress' during his visit to India. His comments suggested growing confidence that a breakthrough could eventually be reached while simultaneously signaling caution about the terms of any final deal. Rubio emphasized that more work was needed to reach an agreement.

President Trump also weighed in on the negotiations, setting clear conditions for any potential agreement. He stated that any Iran deal must be 'great and meaningful' or there would be no deal at all. Trump suggested that a potential agreement would differ from the 2015 nuclear accord. His statements that peace talks were proceeding in an 'orderly and constructive manner' led to a decline in oil prices on international markets.

The negotiations appear to center around an arrangement where Iran would pledge not to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for possible sanctions relief and reduced US economic pressure. This structure resembles previous diplomatic efforts, though the specific conditions and mechanisms remain to be worked out.

Despite the reported progress, significant points of contention remain. These include disagreements over sanctions, maritime control, and Iran's nuclear program. The Iranian side has repeatedly expressed concern about the inconsistency of American positions, which they argue undermines confidence in the negotiation process.

The diplomatic efforts are taking place against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions. Both sides appear to have an interest in de-escalation, though the exact modalities and timeline of any potential agreement remain unclear. International observers are closely monitoring developments given their potential impact on regional stability and global energy markets.

The fact that both Iranian and American officials are speaking publicly about the negotiations is viewed as a positive sign for the seriousness of the efforts. At the same time, the cautious rhetoric from both sides suggests that significant hurdles remain before a concrete agreement can be reached.

The current diplomatic initiative represents a departure from the more confrontational approach that has characterized US-Iran relations in recent years. However, the complexity of the issues involved and the domestic political considerations on both sides suggest that any breakthrough will require sustained effort and compromise from all parties involved.