{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiftkekh6w5gitv5nthndquq62ghw3mrz44jeer4urr5rx26ylquhy",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:neqfhinxgjyy6qagpbcb6wfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmjp7ciluql2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreifzfowb3xxdts2ksl6lxjswrujgrzfdkw6xmpwdgusafkosndfpq4"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 86432
  },
  "path": "/partner/iran-final-stage-deal-us",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-23T14:49:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
    "Trump's preference",
    "Pakistan's army chief",
    "proposals"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nIran's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Tehran was in the final stages of preparing a framework agreement to end its conflict with the United States, as diplomatic activity intensified on multiple fronts.\n\nIn Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran could accept a deal as early as Saturday, suggesting negotiations were gathering pace.\n\n### How close is an Iran-US deal?\n\nIran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state broadcaster IRIB that the two sides were finalizing memoranda of understanding, with full agreement expected within 30 to 60 days.\n\nRubio, speaking in New Delhi, said progress had been made and did not rule out an announcement within hours. Both sides signaled movement, but key sticking points remain unresolved.\n\n\"Within a reasonable period of 30 to 60 days, the details of these points will be discussed and a final agreement will ultimately be concluded. We are currently in the process of finalizing these memoranda of understanding,\" Baqaei said.\n\n### What did Rubio say about the Iran deal prospects?\n\nRubio, speaking to reporters during his first official visit to India, struck a cautiously optimistic tone while leaving room for skepticism. \"There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be,\" he said. He added that work was continuing even as he spoke, and that an announcement could come later that day, the following day or within a few days.\n\nRubio also reiterated Washington's core demands: Iran must fully open the Strait of Hormuz and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of any agreement.\n\nHe said Trump still preferred a negotiated solution but made clear the conflict would be resolved \"one way or the other\" if diplomacy failed. \"Trump's preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That's what we're working on right now,\" Rubio said.\n\n### What is driving the diplomatic urgency this weekend?\n\nThe comments came amid a surge of diplomatic activity on Saturday. Pakistan's army chief arrived in Tehran for mediation talks, and Trump cancelled a personal engagement, citing \"circumstances pertaining to government,\" a move that fueled speculation over sensitive developments in the negotiations.\n\nRubio said progress had been made but did not rule out the possibility of renewed US military action if diplomacy collapsed.\n\nThe framework under discussion is reported to defer nuclear enrichment talks until after a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to earlier reporting by Drop Site News citing a senior Iranian official.\n\nThat sequencing reflects Iran's stated preference to address the immediate conflict before tackling longer-term nuclear questions. Both sides have exchanged proposals over several weeks, though significant differences remain.",
  "title": "Iran says in 'final stage' of drafting framework for deal with US"
}