Iran and the United States discussed on Saturday a breakthrough in negotiations to permanently end the war in the Middle East, after weeks of tension and diplomatic consultations.
“After several weeks of bilateral talks, we are seeing a trend towards reconciliation” with American positions, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esma’il Baghaei on state television, revealing that his country was in the “finalization phase” of an agreement protocol with Washington to cease hostilities.
“This does not necessarily mean that we and the United States will reach an agreement on important issues,” he added.
Esma’il Baghaei clarified that the nuclear issue was not part of the agreement currently being discussed.
A few minutes earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said there was “a chance” that Iran would accept an agreement to end the war by Saturday.
“It is possible that later today, tomorrow, or in a few days, we will have information to communicate,” Marco Rubio told reporters in New Delhi, adding that he hoped for “good news.”
Later in the day, Donald Trump confirmed to CBS News that an agreement between the United States and Iran is “very close,” while also telling Axios that he sees the chances of a “good” agreement or a return to war as “50-50.”
Regarding the negotiations, “every day, it gets better,” said the US president to CBS News over the phone.
