WASHINGTON, May 24: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio says "significant progress" has been made in talks to end the US-Israel war on Iran, hours after President Donald Trump claimed that a memorandum of understanding to end the fighting was "largely negotiated".
Rubio, who was on his first official visit to India, said on Sunday that the emerging deal would address Trump's concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked since the US and Israel launched their war on February 28.
"Some progress has been made, significant progress, although not final progress has been made," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi.
"I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news," he said.
The agreement would also start a "process that can ultimately leave us where the president wants us to be, and that is a world that no longer has to fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon", Rubio added.
Iran's semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said that under a potential memorandum of understanding, the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would return to pre-war levels within weeks.
"If the agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will not fully return to its pre-war status; instead, the number of ships allowed to pass would be restored to pre-war levels within 30 days," Tasnim reported.
The US naval blockade on Iranian ports must be completely lifted within 30 days, according to the potential memorandum of understanding, Tasnim said, adding that at least part of Iran's frozen funds must be released in the first phase of the agreement.
The potential deal also includes an end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, Tasnim reported.
The measures on the Strait of Hormuz would take effect over a 30-day period while negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme would continue over 60 days after the potential agreement is signed, Tasnim said.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday he hoped his country could soon host the next round of peace talks between Iran and the United States.
"Pakistan will continue its peace efforts with utmost sincerity and we hope to host the next round of talks very soon," Sharif, whose country has played a key role in mediating between Washington and Tehran, posted on X. "AGENCIES
