Iran-US Talks Show Signs of Progress as Pakistan Plays Key Mediator Role
Fresh diplomatic signals from Tehran suggest that differences between Iran and the United States may be slowly narrowing, raising cautious hopes for progress in the ongoing negotiations.
The development comes after Pakistan’s army chief held another round of discussions in Tehran, while Washington continues to weigh the possibility of further military action against the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that diplomatic efforts may be moving in a positive direction.
Rubio said there had been “some progress” in the talks and added that more developments could emerge later in the day.
Earlier, Rubio publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating communication during the sensitive negotiations.
He said Pakistan has served as the primary intermediary in the discussions and praised Islamabad for handling the responsibility effectively.
According to Rubio, the United States has been closely coordinating with Pakistan throughout the process, and that channel of communication is expected to remain active moving forward.
On May 22, the United States also indicated that there had been modest but meaningful movement in discussions with Iran, despite continuing disagreements over several major issues, including nuclear material, regional tensions, and the security of strategic maritime routes.
Rubio said he did not want to overstate the situation but admitted there had been “a little bit of movement,” describing it as an encouraging sign amid difficult negotiations.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump stressed that the United States wants to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and dismissed reports suggesting any plan involving tolls or restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the Iranian side, officials indicated that Tehran may be willing to reduce the enrichment level of its uranium stockpile domestically instead of transferring the material abroad, a proposal that could become a key point in the negotiations.
Iranian state media reported that discussions are continuing within Tehran as the government prepares an official response to the latest American proposal.
Confusion also emerged over reports regarding Iran’s uranium reserves. Reuters had reported that Iran’s leadership instructed officials not to send uranium outside the country, but the claim was later denied by Fox News, adding another layer of uncertainty to the already delicate diplomatic process.
Despite the cautious tone from both sides, recent statements suggest that diplomatic channels remain open, with negotiators still searching for common ground amid growing regional and international pressure.
