Iran envoy: Peace talks progressing, denies US commodity purchase claims

Iran's UN ambassador has reported significant progress in US-Iran peace talks, stating that a roadmap for a permanent deal has been agreed upon within 60 days. This envoy also denied claims that Iran would use unfrozen assets to purchase US commodities. However, Iran's leadership has contradicted the United States on several key points of a recently agreed framework deal. These points of contention include the specifics of nuclear inspections, the process of asset unfreezing, and the scope of sanctions relief.

Concurrently, Iran is pursuing its own diplomatic engagements concerning the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional conflicts. In a move signaling progress in US-Iran discussions, Iran and Oman have established a joint committee tasked with managing issues related to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that the administration of the strait will remain with Tehran, a position that diverges from the pre-war status.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that Iran cannot charge tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. He also clarified that a ceasefire in Lebanon will be a separate matter from any potential Iran deal. Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates with the objective of easing concerns among regional partners regarding the tentative Iran agreement.