Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that a memorandum of understanding with the United States has “never been closer”, signalling possible movement in long-running negotiations even as public statements from Washington and Tehran remained sharply at odds.
His remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump dismissed leaked Iranian terms for a deal as “untrue”, deepening the contrast between the two sides’ accounts of the talks.
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🚨 BREAKING:
— The World Time (@MuzamilK9865) June 12, 2026
🇺🇸🇮🇷 IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAGHCHI, JUST SAID:
"THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE U.S. IS CLOSER THAN EVER BEFORE."
INSIDERS SAY THE DEAL MAY BE SIGNED AS SOON AS SUNDAY
PRAYING FOR THE AGREEMENT NOW!! pic.twitter.com/cHbBtNccnw
Araghchi signals progress in talks
In a post on X, Araghchi said, “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer. Pending its finalisation, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content. In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.”
The post suggested that the framework remained unfinished, but that the two sides were closer than at any previous point, according to the Iranian minister.
🚨 JUST IN: 🇮🇷 Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi says a deal with the 🇺🇸 US and 🇮🇱 Israel to end the war “has never been closer.” He asked media to stop guessing details and said full information will be shared soon with the public. pic.twitter.com/3Nwyq0Psis
— Ebrahim Zolfaghari Commentary (@Irantimes02) June 12, 2026
Nuclear terms emerge amid fresh tensions
A senior US official said the tentative deal included terms for removing and destroying nuclear material from Iran.
That account came amid heightened tensions after Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel over three days this week, an escalation that had raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
Trump disputes leaked deal details
Trump, however, pushed back strongly.
In a Truth Social post, he said the terms Iran leaked “have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing” and accused Tehran of acting dishonourably.
The dispute over what has actually been agreed remains central to the talks, with Iran’s state media reporting that a draft agreement would not require Tehran to give up control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian reports also said the text under discussion envisaged an end to conflict across several fronts, the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, a 60-day window for nuclear talks, suspension of sanctions on oil and petrochemical sales, and lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran said, final negotiations would not begin before half of Iran’s blocked funds are released, oil sanctions are suspended and the blockade is lifted.
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Fundamental gaps still remain
Even with the reported progress, the core differences remain unresolved.
Washington has consistently demanded an end to Iran’s uranium enrichment, while Iranian officials continue to insist that Tehran will retain its right to enrich uranium and maintain control over Hormuz.
For now, it remains unclear what a final agreement would contain.
FAQs
Q1: What did Abbas Araghchi say about the US-Iran deal?
Ans: Abbas Araghchi said the proposed US-Iran memorandum of understanding has 'never been closer' to finalisation.
Q2: Why does the US-Iran deal remain unresolved?
Ans: The proposed agreement remains unresolved because the two sides continue to differ on uranium enrichment, sanctions relief and other key terms.
