Key facts
- Pakistan's Prime Minister announced a US-Iran deal is in place.
- US Vice-President JD Vance is expected to attend the signing ceremony in Geneva.
- President Donald Trump may also sign the agreement.
- The deal aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's proposed deal includes lifting port blockades and releasing assets, with nuclear issues deferred.
- Approximately $24 billion in Iranian assets may be unfrozen, with the UAE releasing $10 billion.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a deal between the United States and Iran is now in place, with mediators expected to facilitate a series of meetings this week. This announcement follows President Donald Trump's indication that he plans to issue a statement imminently confirming an agreement with Iran, which has not yet been confirmed by Tehran.
Trump stated that the deal would prevent Iran from ever possessing a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz would be "opening for business very shortly." He also criticized the 2015 JCPOA deal, calling it a "road to a Nuclear weapon for Iran." Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, asserted that Tehran would not submit to outside pressure and remains accountable to its citizens.
Details of Iran's proposed 14-point deal include lifting port blockades and releasing assets, with nuclear issues deferred to a second stage. Reports suggest up to $24 billion in Iranian assets could be unfrozen, with the UAE releasing $10 billion, though US Vice President Vance linked this to obligations. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported redirecting 142 commercial ships and disabling nine vessels as part of Washington's blockade against Iran.
US Vice-President JD Vance plans to attend the signing of the Iran deal in Geneva on Friday, with President Trump also possibly signing the agreement. US media outlets had reported in recent days that Vance was the most likely senior official to travel for an in-person signing ceremony, which had been expected to take place in Vienna.
Regional tensions remain high, with Iran condemning Israeli attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs as a "terrorist act" and warning Washington bears responsibility. Hezbollah reported 17 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Israel's security cabinet is set to meet to discuss the Iran-US deal, reportedly fearing concessions regarding its operations in Lebanon.