Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that negotiations with the United States are progressing toward a final agreement, though key issues remain unresolved. He disclosed that the emerging framework is structured in two phases, with the controversial nuclear component intentionally deferred until the second stage.

Discussing the outcome of the recent conflict, Araghchi projected confidence about Iran’s position and argued that Tehran entered negotiations from a position of strength.

“The best time to end a war is when we hold the upper hand; we are truly victorious on the battlefield.”

He also highlighted the duration and intensity of the confrontation, portraying Iran’s resistance as a significant achievement.

“We stood against the world’s apparent superpower for 40 days.”

Addressing questions surrounding the ongoing negotiations, Araghchi said the public would receive a full explanation once discussions are completed, while emphasizing that the process has not yet reached its conclusion.

“The final agreement hasn’t been reached yet; if it is finalized, I promise to explain every single clause,” he stated, further clarified the structural sequencing of the emerging framework, “The agreement includes two stages, and we have moved the nuclear issue to the second stage.”

The foreign minister also reiterated Iran’s commitment to Hezbollah and other allied groups throughout the region, insisting that any end to hostilities must address multiple fronts rather than Iran alone.

“We will never leave Hezbollah in Lebanon alone, and the end of the war will also encompass Lebanon and all other fronts.”

Expanding on that point, Araghchi said Iran has made clear that any broader settlement must include developments in southern Lebanon as well.

“Ending the war in the agreement also means Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied areas in southern Lebanon, and we have stated this explicitly to the other side.”

Turning to the diplomatic provisions under discussion, Araghchi claimed the United States is prepared to formally acknowledge Iran’s sovereignty as part of the arrangement.

“In this agreement, the United States will state in writing that it respects Iran’s sovereignty.”

He added that the memorandum currently being negotiated reaches well beyond military matters and includes economic and financial issues as well.

“The memorandum of understanding includes the nuclear issue, sanctions relief, reconstruction, and blocked/frozen funds.”

Araghchi’s comments came after President Donald Trump told Axios reporter Barak Ravid on Friday that he believes a deal with Iran could be finalized as soon as this weekend or by Monday.

Later in the day, a senior administration official echoed that optimism, telling reporters that the two sides appear to be nearing the finish line.

“We do expect to be signing this agreement with Iran over the next few days. We assess it at 85%, but not 100%. We feel very good about the deal. We are not quite at the finish line but we are very close,” said the official.

The official outlined several major elements expected to be included in the agreement, among them the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the American blockade on Iranian ports, and the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. Under the proposed arrangement, Iran’s enriched nuclear material would be transferred to U.S. custody, destroyed, and removed from the country.

According to the official, Iran would receive substantial economic relief if it fulfills its obligations under the agreement.

The official stated that Iran would be “relieved of a lot of the economic pressures that they’ve been under for many, many years” if the country complies with the deal’s provisions. The official further stressed, “Those benefits only accrue if they actually deliver.”

{Matzav.com}