Iran–US message exchange suspended, Fars reports

The exchange of messages between Iran and the United States aimed at reaching an initial memorandum of understanding has been suspended for at least several days, Iran’s Fars News Agency reports.

The report contrasts with recent suggestions by some Western officials and media outlets that contacts between Tehran and Washington are continuing as normal.

“While some Western media outlets and officials are attempting to portray the process of message exchanges between Iran and the United States as routine and progressing normally, information obtained by a Fars correspondent points to a completely different reality,” the agency reported.

According to the source, communications between the two sides regarding a proposed preliminary memorandum of understanding have been on hold for several days.

The report comes despite comments by US President Donald Trump, who said  that negotiations with Iran were moving forward at a rapid pace.

Fars quoted its source as saying that the most recent message delivered by the Islamic Republic to Washington was a public statement concerning Lebanon, which attracted significant international attention.

“An informed source reports that the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States for the purpose of reaching the so-called initial memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington has been suspended for at least several days,” the agency wrote.

By Vafa Guliyeva