US and Iran ‘very close’ to ceasefire deal, Araghchi says

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a deal to permanently end the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has “never been closer”.

In a post on X on Friday, Araghchi signalled growing optimism about ongoing negotiations, though he later stressed on Iran’s Press TV that no agreement had yet been signed.

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According to Araghchi, the proposed agreement would unfold in two stages. The first would involve a memorandum of understanding to halt fighting, including Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, alongside commitments not to resume attacks.

The second stage would focus on wider negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

A senior US official also told reporters on Friday that a deal was “not quite at the finish line yet, but we are very close”.

The official said sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets would depend on Iran complying with conditions, including dismantling its nuclear programme and surrendering nuclear material.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also posted a cryptic message on X, writing: “Commitments made must be commitments kept. No ifs, no buts, no excuses. For the close deal ahead, there is no other way.”