Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US and Iranian negotiators have made fresh progress in talks aimed at ending the war, moving closer to a framework agreement, Axios reported, citing two US officials.
According to Axios, the latest round of discussions on Tuesday narrowed gaps between the two sides, raising cautious hopes of a deal before a ceasefire expires on April 21.
“They were on the phone and backchanneling with all the countries, and they are getting closer,” one US official told Axios, describing a day of intense diplomatic activity involving mediators and direct contacts.
advertisement
A second US official confirmed progress had been made, while another added: “We want to make a deal. And parts of their government want to make a deal. Now the trick is to get the whole government over there to make the deal.”
At the same time, Bloomberg reported that the US and Iran are weighing a two-week extension of the ceasefire, which is set to expire Tuesday, to allow more time for negotiations.
Citing a person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said mediators are working to set up technical talks to resolve the most contentious issues — including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme.
The talks — involving mediation by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey — are now focused on bridging remaining differences, though officials warned that a final agreement is far from guaranteed.
“Let’s wait and see if we can get a deal. We are hopeful and accordingly trying to push with both sides,” a Pakistani official said, reflecting cautious optimism among mediators.
Behind the scenes, US President Donald Trump’s negotiating team – including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner — has been actively exchanging draft proposals with Iranian officials and intermediaries.
Vance, who led initial talks in Pakistan, said at an event in Georgia that he felt “very good about where we are,” adding: “I think the people we’re sitting across from wanted to make a deal.”
A new round of in-person negotiations is expected in the coming days, though no date has been finalised, Axios reported.
Officials said that if a framework agreement is reached, the ceasefire would likely need to be extended to allow time for negotiating the details of a broader deal.
“The details are complicated — you can’t do that in two days,” one US official said, while another stressed that Washington has not yet formally agreed to extend the truce.
Pressure on Tehran is mounting. US officials told Axios that Washington’s naval blockade — which has sharply curtailed Iran’s oil exports — is squeezing the country’s economy and increasing incentives to strike a deal.
“Iran has no money. They’re broke. We know it. And they know we know it,” one official said.
The stakes are high. Iran exports roughly 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, generating about $140 million, but officials say the blockade could effectively wipe out those revenues.
The situation is further compounded by damage to key industries and ongoing cyber disruptions targeting financial infrastructure, deepening Iran’s economic strain.
– Ends
Tune In
Must Watch
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
