Tehran and Washington continue exchanging messages, and two issues are hindering the completion of the agreement.
Tehran and Washington continue exchanging messages, and two issues are hindering the completion of the agreement.
2026-05-22
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian sources revealed on Friday that messages were still being exchanged between Tehran and Washington, amid indications of progress in the negotiations over the past two days.
The Iranian news agency Fars quoted informed sources as saying that “the United States is still seeking to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran on all contentious issues at the present stage, while Tehran insists on postponing discussions on the nuclear file until after the end of the war.”
She added that “the most prominent points of contention between the two sides are Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, in addition to the issue of the Strait of Hormuz.”
According to the sources, Washington opposes transferring Iran’s enriched nuclear materials to a third country and insists on receiving them directly, something Tehran has so far refused.
Earlier today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the United States’ opposition to Iran imposing fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while noting that relative progress had been made in the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
In contrast, media outlets reported on Friday that the anticipated agreement between Iran and the United States includes freedom of navigation, lifting of sanctions, and compliance with international law.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that China supports Islamabad’s initiative to mediate between America and Iran by presenting a 5-point initiative.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a directive on Thursday “not to send weapons-grade uranium out of Iran,” according to Reuters, citing two Iranian sources.
shafaq.com
