US envoy says Iran talks ‘very close’ to agreement on de-escalation process

US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, said diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Iran could bring “dramatic steps forward” within two weeks, though further US military action remains possible. Speaking to CNN, Barrack said Qatar, Pakistan and other US allies had brought the sides “very close” to an agreement on a process aimed at securing a temporary pause in hostilities. “We’re not going to have an overall solution immediately,” he said, stressing the need to “bring temperatures down”. Asked about a possible “short, sharp” US military operation against Iran, Barrack said President Donald Trump and his administration were seriously considering “kinetic action”.