– Iran says some progress has been reached in talks with the US, but a deal “is not imminent”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai’s remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an agreement could possibly be reached on Monday.”It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqai said in Tehran on Monday. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no-one can make such a claim.”

The memorandum of understanding reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a plan for further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program At the weekend, President Donald Trump suggested the sides were closing a deal, even though he later said he had instructed negotiators “not to rush into” one.

On Monday, Rubio told reporters in the Indian capital, Delhi: “We thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today.”