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US-Iran peace deal: Pak says agreement on Sunday, Washington concurs, Tehran says ‘wait and see’ | What we know
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif has said the two sides had agreed on a framework for a peace deal and that the finalisation is likely expected in the next 24 hours.
The United States and Iran are closer to a peace deal to end the conflict in West Asia, but the timing of the agreement remains uncertain.
The momentum towards building peace in the region was followed by Pakistan suggesting that a deal can be signed as early as Sunday.
The development comes amid growing optimism after the US and Iran signalled on Friday that an agreement to end 3-month war was close. Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said an MoU with the US "has never been closer", even as a senior Trump administration official said there was an 80% or 85% chance the pact would be signed soon.
Follow latest updates on US-Iran conflict
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the two sides had agreed on a framework for a peace deal and that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing to be followed by technical-level talks next week.
Here are the latest updates in the US-Iran peace talks:
- When will the deal be signed?: Though conflicting details have emerged on the timing of the deal, there is no confirmation from Iran. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif suggested that the two sides agreed on a framework and a deal could be signed on Sunday. Trump also posted on Truth Social, that the deal will be signed on Sunday.
"We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week," Sharif said in a post on X. While Iran cautioned against the timing of the deal. Trump's post read: “The deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Stait will be open to all.”
Also Read: Iran 'booby-traps' uranium sites, lays mines as US seeks handover in peace deal: Report
What Iran said: Iran suggested that it could sign the framework for a peace deal with the US in coming days even as it dismissed a suggestion by Islamabad that it would be signed within the next 24 hours. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said while changes in the deal were still possible, the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger from the conflict.
'Wait and see': Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the deal won't be signed on Sunday and cautioned against commenting on the timing. "We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow," Baghaei said, adding, "The possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out. However, due to the hesitation of the other side, we must be cautious in making any comments about this process."
What US said: US remained silent on the timing of the deal signing, but Trump on Saturday said that a peace deal aimed at ending the war with Iran would be signed on Sunday. His remarks came hours after mediator Pakistan said negotiations were in their final stages and that an agreement could be signed within 24 hours.
Israel not party to deal: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not be party to the US-Iran deal, which could put the peace deal into jeopardy. Israel's stance on Lebanon was a point of contest in the ceasefire deal between the US and Iran in April. Netanyahu has clashed with Trump over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.
