Helsingborg, Sweden. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States has made some progress toward a deal with Iran but more work is needed, while Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said differences remain deep and significant.
Rubio cites progress but says key gaps remain
Rubio spoke after a meeting of NATO ministers in Helsingborg on Friday, saying: “There’s been some progress. I wouldn’t exaggerate it. I wouldn’t diminish it. There’s more work to be done. We’re not there yet. I hope we get there.”
He said sticking points include Iran’s enriched uranium and control over the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure since the start of the war has triggered a global energy crisis.
US rejects Iran tolling plan for Strait of Hormuz
Rubio reiterated comments made on Thursday that Iran’s plans for a tolling system for the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows, were “unacceptable.”
“We’re dealing with a very difficult group of people, and if it doesn’t change, then the president’s been clear he has other options,” Rubio said.
He also said the US had not asked the NATO military alliance for help on the Strait of Hormuz but that there needed to be a Plan B if Iran refuses to reopen the waterway.
Pakistan steps up mediation in Tehran
Pakistan’s military chief arrived in Tehran on Friday to press on with mediation efforts, and Iranian media reported that Iran’s foreign minister and Pakistan’s interior minister had met there.
Two days after presenting the Iranians with the latest US message in negotiations, Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi held another round of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
Pakistan’s army later announced Field Marshal Asim Munir’s arrival in Tehran but gave no further details.
Qatar sends negotiating team to Iran
Qatar sent a negotiating team to Tehran to try to resolve the sides’ main differences, six weeks into a fragile ceasefire.
The Qatari team, which is working in coordination with the United States, arrived in Iran on Friday, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
What developments do you think could help narrow the remaining differences in the negotiations?
