Iran Says Deal to End War With US ‘Has Never Been Closer’ Amid Breakthrough Peace Talks

Iran says deal to end fighting with US has ‘never been closer’ Iranian officials have expressed optimism that a deal to end hostilities with the United States is within reach. This follows a statement made by US President Donald Trump, in which he claimed a pact to put a halt to the fighting was never been closer. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, is the latest high-ranking official to echo Mr Trump’s words..

Zarif met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the port city of Karachi, discussing regional stability and ways to boost trade between the two countries. According to sources, Zarif praised Pakistan for its efforts to broker a peace deal between Iran and the US, describing Imran Khan’s government as a reliable and trustworthy ally. This optimism comes despite continued tensions between Iran and the US over various issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and its support for proxy groups in the region..

The US has imposed strict economic sanctions on Iran, causing significant hardship for the country’s people. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has also expressed confidence that a deal is possible, saying that negotiations with Iran are proceeding extremely well. He made the comments during a press conference in Washington, where he also addressed the US’s plans to deploy an extra 2,000 troops to the Middle East..

Mr Trump’s statement appears to be a significant escalation of US involvement in the region, and has sparked concerns about the potential for further conflict. Regional experts have expressed caution, pointing out that a deal between the US and Iran will require significant compromises from all sides. The US will need to lift its sanctions in exchange for concessions from Iran, but the extent to which Iran is willing to make concessions is unclear..

Some analysts have suggested that Iran may be using the talks as a way to gain leverage to negotiate better terms for the release of Iranian hostages held in the US. Iran has been critical of the US’s handling of the negotiations, accusing it of making unreasonable demands and failing to provide adequate concessions. Iranian officials have also questioned the sincerity of the US, pointing to previous broken promises and failed deadlines..

This skepticism has contributed to a lack of trust between the two sides, making progress in the talks difficult to achieve. US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, in Baghdad on Wednesday. According to sources, the talks were productive and covered a range of issues, including the Iran nuclear deal and the country’s ballistic missile programme..

However, Mr Hook’s efforts were later overshadowed by a statement from the US ary of State, Mike Pompeo, in which he accused Iran of terrorist acts against the US. The US has a history of accusing Iran of supporting terrorism, pointing to its backing of groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran has consistently denied these claims, describing them as baseless and intended to justify US aggression..

This mutual recrimination has contributed to a tense atmosphere between the two countries, making it difficult to find common ground. In a sign that the talks may be moving forward, Iran has suspended its planned enrichment of uranium beyond the agreed limits. This move has been seen as a confidence-building measure and a signal of Iran’s willingness to compromise..

However, the halt on enrichment is not a permanent solution and may be undone if a deal is not reached. Iran and the US have also begun talks on regional cooperation, discussing ways to boost trade and develop joint infrastructure projects. Iran has significant oil reserves and a large population, making it an attractive partner for foreign investors..

However, US sanctions have made it difficult for western companies to invest in Iran, limiting its potential. Pakistan has emerged as a key player in the negotiations, acting as a bridge between Iran and the US. The country has significant influence in the region and a well-established trade channel with both nations..

Imran Khan’s government has offered to facilitate talks and provide support for any agreement that may be reached. A senior Pakistani official described the atmosphere in the talks as constructive and positive, saying that the two sides were discussing ways to resolve their differences and move towards a peaceful resolution. This optimism has been echoed by Iran’s Zarif, who expressed gratitude to Imran Khan for his support in the negotiations..

However, regional analysts have cautioned against over-optimism, pointing out that there are still significant hurdles to overcome before a deal can be achieved. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has also spoken out against a possible deal with the US, describing it as treasonous and warning against any concessions. The opposition to a deal from hardline factions within Iran will need to be addressed in any final agreement..

The negotiations are proceeding cautiously, with both sides trying to gauge each other’s positions. However, there is a growing sense of expectation that a deal may be reached soon, which would bring an end to the fighting and allow for a significant reduction in tensions between the two countries..