Iran says partial 'conclusion' reached with U.S. but agreement not imminent

Iran and the U.S. have "reached a conclusion on a major part of the issues under discussion," but the signing of an agreement is not imminent, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference while commenting on the latest progress related to Pakistan-mediated talks between Iran and the U.S. aimed at ending the war.

Baghaei said developments over the past few days were the result of several weeks of talks mediated by Pakistan, adding that some other countries also offered good offices during the process.

"Therefore, it is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a major part of the issues under discussion. But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim," he noted.

Baghaei said this is due to several reasons, "including the fact that policy- and decision-making in the United States have become subject to a kind of institutionalized hesitation and the U.S. frequent changing of its positions and views, which disrupts any dialogue."

Baghaei noted that negotiations at this stage have focused on ending the war on all fronts. "We have no talks on the details of the nuclear issue," he said.

He said that future visits by the Iranian delegation to Islamabad and by the Pakistani delegation to Tehran would be possible if necessary, but no such trips have been planned for now.

Discussions between Iran and the United States have not entered into details regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he said, adding that the strait's management method is an issue pertaining to coastal states.

He noted that Iran is in contact with relevant parties to ensure that a mechanism will be created capable of guaranteeing safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz as well as the international community's interests in the best possible way.

Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. Following the truce, they held one round of peace talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.

Over the past weeks, the two sides reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for peace through Pakistan's mediation.

Iran says partial 'conclusion' reached with U.S. but agreement not imminent

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal