U.S., Iran and Pakistan Report Progress in Talks to End Conflict

Iran, the United States and Pakistan said Saturday that recent talks produced progress toward ending nearly three months of war. Iran's foreign ministry stated that negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Pakistan army chief Asim Munir to finalize a memorandum of understanding.

Munir also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian before departing Tehran, according to Iranian state media. The Pakistani army described the previous 24 hours of negotiations as yielding "encouraging" progress toward a final understanding.

U.S. Position U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in New Delhi, said some progress had been made and that the United States might issue a statement within days. "There's been some progress done, some progress made, even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done," Rubio told reporters.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the week's trend showed a reduction in disputes but added that remaining issues would require further mediation over the next three or four days.

The discussions focused on a 14-point document proposed by Iran and on messages exchanged between the sides. U.S. shipping blockade and the conflict in Lebanon as priorities. U.S. demands that Iran never acquire a nuclear weapon, that the Strait of Hormuz remain open without tolls, and that Iran turn over its enriched uranium.

U.S. military action would produce stronger consequences than at the start of the conflict.