Kushner: US-Iran contacts more intense

Washington (ANTARA) - US Special Envoy Jared Kushner has said that communication between Washington and various parties within the Iranian government is now more intense than before, with both countries continuing dialogue.

“I would say that the conversations between the US government and various parties within the Iranian government across all areas are perhaps more intense than ever before. So there has been a lot of good dialogue,” Kushner said in an interview with Fox News on Monday (17/8).

Kushner said the negotiation process will continue, while US President Donald Trump will be patient and wait until the right deal is reached.

“President Trump will be patient. He does not want to rush into a deal. He will make the right deal when the time is right. But we are having very positive and active discussions,” Kushner said.

On 8 July, Trump stated that the ceasefire reached with Iran on the night of 18 June was no longer in effect. Since then, the US military has launched a number of strikes against Iran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were carried out in response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then retaliated by attacking US bases in various parts of the Middle East and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire agreement.

In recent weeks, Washington and Tehran, with the help of mediators from the Middle East, have been working to agree on the terms of a new deal to end the war.

On 9 August, Trump said Washington was negotiating with Tehran at a half-hearted pace, while Iran’s economic conditions were said to be worsening.