US, Iran and Pakistan say talks progressing towards a deal

US, Iran and Pakistan say talks progressing towards a deal Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 05/23/2026 - 16:22 FT reports that mediators believe a 60-day ceasefire extension is close, as Tehran says memorandum of understanding is being finalised Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are visible near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, 22 May 2026 (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters) Off Officials from the United States , Iran and Pakistan have all expressed optimism on Saturday that a deal to end the war is nearing completion.  Pakistan’s military - a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran - said negotiations over the past 24 hours had produced encouraging progress towards a final understanding, as army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held talks in Tehran with senior Iranian officials. "Discussions remained focused upon expediting the consultative process underway to support peace and stability in the region," the army said in a statement. "Negotiations over the last twenty-four hours have resulted in encouraging progress towards a final understanding" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said a deal could be reached within days, possibly as early as Saturday, though he provided no further details. "There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be," Rubio told reporters from New Delhi during his visit to India. "There's been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done," he said. "There is a chance that, whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say." US President Donald Trump told Axios that he will meet his nego...

Original source: Middle East Eye