Iranian Foreign Ministry: Serious differences between Iran and the US make it difficult to say an agreement is close to being reached.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that it is impossible to say at present that an agreement between Iran and the United States is close to being reached, as the differences between the two sides remain serious.

Xinhua News Agency, citing Iranian media reports on Friday (May 22), quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bagaei as saying that the visit of senior Pakistani officials to Tehran indicated that the current situation had entered a "turning point or decisive stage." He mentioned that Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Munir had visited Tehran, and related communications were still ongoing.

When asked whether this meant a change in the negotiation process, Bagaé said that it was too early to say that an agreement between Iran and the United States was close to being reached, as there were serious and wide-ranging differences between the two countries, and that "diplomacy is a time-consuming process."

Bagua said that it is unrealistic to expect results within weeks or months after several rounds of consultations. He emphasized that diplomatic negotiations are a long-term process, and both sides are using every opportunity to convey their respective positions.

The New York Times reported that, in addition to Pakistan, Qatar also sent representatives to Iran. The Wall Street Journal, citing mediators, reported that Pakistan and other regional countries involved in the negotiations are working to bridge the gap between U.S. demands for limiting Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's objectives. Tehran's goal is to limit any short-term agreement to ending the war, lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and providing financial aid.

Source: [Lianhe Zaobao] (https://www.zaobao.com/news/world/story20260523-9094176)