Summary Iran says major progress has been made in talks with the US over ending the conflict, but warns no final agreement is near as tensions persist over Strait of Hormuz.
TEHRAN (AFP/Reuters) – Iran said 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. He said no decision had been made to send a negotiation delegation to Pakistan at this stage.
"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.
He said that Tehran was collecting fees for "navigational services" on ships transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, rather than imposing tolls.
"The services that are provided -- navigational services in addition to the measures necessary to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman -- require the collection of certain fees," said Baqaei.
He added that Iran was "not seeking to collect tolls".
Also Read: Trump says US will not 'rush into a deal' with Iran
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying there will either be a good agreement or Washington would deal with the country in "another way."
Rubio told reporters in New Delhi that the U.S. would give diplomacy every chance to succeed before exploring "alternatives", after President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had told his representatives not to rush into any Iran deal.
A day earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz would "remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed".
He added, "Both sides must take their time and get it right."
