US-Iran Talks Show Progress as Draft Deal Nears, Rubio Says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that negotiations between the United States and Iran have made some progress, but that a deal is not yet done. "There's been some progress. I wouldn't exaggerate it. I wouldn't diminish it", Rubio said after a meeting of NATO ministers in Sweden.

A Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran on Friday to help broker a final agreement in coordination with Washington. Pakistan remains the main mediator. Qatar has rejoined the negotiations despite having faced Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure and liquefied natural gas production facilities during the conflict.

According to Al-Arabiya television, a final draft agreement could be announced within hours. The document would include an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on land, sea and air, an end to military operations and a commitment to respect the sovereignty of both sides.

The draft also includes a guarantee of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, a mechanism for monitoring compliance and the gradual lifting of US sanctions in exchange for Iranian commitments.

Rubio stressed that Washington's principal condition remains that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. Uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain the main sticking points.

(reuters, english.alarabiya, bak)