U.S. officials told CBS News on Wednesday that talks on extending the current two-week ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire on Tuesday, were ongoing, but that there has been no agreement yet on terms.
“The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire,” a senior U.S. official said Wednesday. “There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged Wednesday that the regime was engaged in indirect communications with the U.S., meanwhile, but said the aim is a complete end to the war and a lifting of sanctions against Tehran.
President Trump has said he’s optimistic that a new round of direct talks could soon bring a final agreement to end the war.
“Regarding talks and negotiations, the exchange of messages is continuing,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Wednesday in remarks aired by Iranian state TV. “Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, multiple messages have been exchanged through a Pakistani intermediary.”
Baqaei said Iran’s “positions are very clear” and that the ongoing diplomacy, in Tehran’s view, is “aimed at a complete cessation of war and the restoration of Iran’s rights, including not only the lifting of sanctions but also compensation for damages inflicted on Iran during the imposed war by the United States and the Israeli regime.”
Baqaei said Iran was “likely hosting a Pakistani delegation” on Wednesday “in continuation of the discussions that took place in Islamabad and the talks the Pakistani side has had with the United States; our positions have been heard and conveyed.”
