Iran says it wants 'comprehensive agreement' with US

Iran will only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" in its negotiations with the U.S. on ending the war in the Middle East, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump cited "great progress" in the process. "We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in Beijing after a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Iranian media reported. "We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement." He did not directly address Trump's offer of a pause in the U.S. operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, offered earlier as an incentive to help reach an agreement between the two sides. The strait has been virtually shut since the conflict began on February 28 with air attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, blocking about 20 percent of world oil supplies and igniting a global energy crisis. "We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom ... will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can bWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times