Key facts
- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a U.S.-Iran peace deal is expected to be finalized electronically within 24 hours.
- The proposed deal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. naval blockade.
- Iran's foreign ministry expressed caution about the immediate signing, calling the agreement a framework for dialogue.
- U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed a deal was imminent and approved by Iranian leadership.
- The potential deal has led to increased bets on a permanent U.S.-Iran peace agreement.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disagreed with U.S. demands regarding military action in Lebanon.
Mediators, the United States, and Iran have indicated that a preliminary peace deal to end a three-month conflict in the Middle East could be signed within days, though differing timelines and interpretations of the agreement's text have emerged.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing within 24 hours, to be followed by technical-level talks the following week. He expressed confidence that the deal would form a strong foundation for lasting peace.
However, Esmaeil Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, advised caution, noting that while the signing might not occur immediately, it could happen in the coming days. This comes after recent intense clashes between Iran, Israel, and the US.
President Donald Trump had previously threatened military action against Iran's oil export terminal before claiming a diplomatic breakthrough, stating a draft deal had been approved by the highest levels of Iranian leadership. Trump has repeatedly claimed deals were imminent throughout the conflict.
US forces recently shot down several Iranian one-way attack drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway. The proposed deal reportedly includes reopening the strait and lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, with subsequent negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
Conflicting accounts of the agreement's terms persist. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, asserted that Iran had emerged stronger from the conflict and was the winner. Conversely, US officials stated the deal met Trump's core objectives, stipulating the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and conditional release of frozen assets.
The potential deal has caused concern in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disagreed with US demands to curb military action in Lebanon. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday.