Rubio Says Iran Could Accept Peace Deal as Early as Saturday

Iran, the United States and Pakistan on Saturday announced progress in negotiations to end the nearly three-month conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was a chance Iran could accept an agreement as early as that day, while declining to rule out the possibility that President Donald Trump might resume attacks on Iran.

"Maybe there will be some news today. Maybe or maybe not. I hope so", Rubio told reporters during his visit to India. "There's been some progress done, some progress made, even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done", he said, adding that "there is a chance that, whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say".

Iran's foreign ministry said Tehran was focusing on finalising a memorandum of understanding. The talks were led by Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir.

Iran has said its priority is to stop the threat of further US attacks. Washington is reiterating its demand that Iran never acquire a nuclear weapon and hand over its enriched uranium. Tehran says it will insist on its "legitimate rights" and has warned that renewed conflict would have harsher consequences than the current war.

(reuters, lud)