Iran's foreign ministry says exchanges with US ongoing via mediators: AFP

Iran said that negotiations with the US were ongoing via mediators, according to AFP, despite withdrawing from talks on Sunday. A draft proposal is being circulated with a follow-up meeting possible, an official briefed on the talks said on Monday. The negotiators departed on Sunday, though not because of difficulties in the negotiations, the official said, without providing further details on the draft proposal. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said the basis of the talks is a seven-step plan Iran drew up in September to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade on Iran, with Tehran now suggesting that proposal could be implemented on a faster timeline under a deal. The spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had been in Doha to facilitate the exchange of messages with Washington via Qatari intermediaries. "Our demands have been articulated very clearly and transparently. These demands are reasonable and logical: no final agreement can be initiated, nor can the Strait of Hormuz be reopened or secured, unless the US naval blockade is brought to an end, Iran's demands are respected, and Iran’s legitimate requirements are addressed,” Baghaei said. Reporting by AFP and Reuters