Iran says intermediaries relayed messages in push toward deal

Abbas Araghchi said on June 3 that Iran and the United States are reviewing texts passed through intermediaries as Tehran works toward what he called a “final formula” for a possible understanding. The Iranian foreign minister said there is still no formal negotiation mechanism between Tehran and Washington, but messages have continued to move through regional mediators. His remarks, carried by Anadolu and echoed by other outlets citing an interview with Al Mayadeen, offered one of the clearest public descriptions yet of how the contacts are being handled. President Donald Trump said on June 1 that talks with Iran were continuing, keeping public pressure on a process that both sides still describe in guarded terms. ### If there is no formal negotiation channel, what is actually happening? Abbas Araghchi said the two sides have exchanged texts through intermediaries and are now studying them, rather than meeting in a formal negotiating format. He said the process remains indirect and that Tehran does not consider it a structured round of talks. (aa.com.tr) Iran International, citing the same June 3 interview, reported that Araghchi said contacts with Washington “have not been cut off,” but that no progress had yet been made in the negotiations. Anadolu reported that Araghchi described the work as moving toward a “final formula” for an understanding. ### Which countries is Iran naming as go-betweens? Araghchi named Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt as countries that have relayed texts between Tehran and Washington, according to Anadolu’s report on his remarks. (aa.com.tr) His description points to a multi-channel mediation effort rather than a single host government running the process. (iranintl.com) Earlier reporting had already pointed to several of those states, especially Oman, Qatar and Pakistan, as active back-channel players. Recent accounts from other outlets said regional governments were trying to preserve a ceasefire and keep U.S.-Iran contacts alive while wider disputes, including over shipping and regional fronts, remained unresolved. (aa.com.tr) ### What has Trump said publicly? Donald Trump said on June 1 that talks with Iran were ongoing, according to Reuters text carried by MSN. The report said Trump made that comment despite another report that Tehran had suspended indirect negotiations with the United States to end hostilities. Social media reports circulated a separate Trump comment that he expected a deal “fairly quickly,” but that wording was not independently confirmed in the sources reviewed here. (nytimes.com) What is confirmed is that Trump has continued to speak publicly about an active diplomatic track with Iran. ### How far along is any possible deal? A June 3 report by Iran International cited Saeed Ajorlou, identified as a member of Iran’s negotiating delegation media team, as saying a possible memorandum of understanding would be implemented in four stages if finalized and agreed. (msn.com) He said those stages would begin with ending military action, then move to tangible measures including arrangements tied to the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief, followed by talks on sanctions and the nuclear file, and then a monitoring committee. Araghchi’s own public language was more limited. He said the sides were reviewing exchanged texts and that speculation should wait until a final outcome is reached, according to reports published on June 1 and June 3. ### What should readers watch next? June 3 is the latest fixed public marker: Araghchi said the texts are still under review and that no formal negotiation mechanism exists. (iranintl.com) The next visible step would be either a named mediator — such as Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan or Egypt — confirming a new exchange, or Washington and Tehran publicly acknowledging a draft understanding. (aa.com.tr) (lokmattimes.com)