Iran said Wednesday it will only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" in its talks with the U.S. to end the Middle East war, even as President Donald Trump touted “great progress” in the negotiations.
Tehran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, made the comment after a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing.
"We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations," Araghchi said, 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 Feb. 28 with air attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, blocking about 20% of world oil supplies and igniting a global energy crisis.
