US says Iran talks moved forward but major challenges remain
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that discussions with Iran have moved forward, though major challenges remain before any agreement can be reached. Speaking after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden, he warned against overstating the developments. “There’s been some progress. I wouldn’t exaggerate it, and I wouldn’t downplay it either,” Rubio told reporters. “There is still significant work ahead. We are not there yet, but I hope we eventually reach that point.” Although both sides have narrowed differences, disputes persist over Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio rejected Iran’s proposal to introduce a toll system for vessels using the strait, calling the idea “unacceptable”. “We’re dealing with a very difficult group of people,” he said, warning that President Trump had made it clear that alternative options remain on the table if Iran refuses to alter its position. He added that the US had not sought assistance from NATO regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that contingency plans would be necessary if Iran declines to reopen the route. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said negotiations with the US were not close to producing a breakthrough, and it was unclear whether a deal could be reached within weeks or even months. “We cannot say an agreement is close at this stage,” he said, adding that the current talks are primarily focused on ending the conflict rather than addressing detailed nuclear matters. Baghaei also dismissed any suggestion that Iran would surrender its highly enriched uranium to the US, describing such demands as unacceptable. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, he said discussions would fail if negotiations became centred on Iran’s enriched uranium reserves. He stated that a delegation from Qatar is currently in talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Pakistan continues to serve as the pri