DUBAI/WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump and mediator Pakistan said on Saturday an initial deal to end the war in the Middle East would be signed on Sunday (today), although Iran denied the signing would take place so soon.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two sides had agreed on a framework for a peace deal and that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing on Sunday, to be followed by technical-level talks next week.
Trump also said in a social media post that the deal with Iran was scheduled to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies which Iran has blocked, would be immediately “open to all” after it was signed.
Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei cautioned against commenting on the timing the signing. “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,” state media quoted Baghaei as saying.
“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.” A US official who spoke to reporters later declined to be drawn on the timing but said: “It’s a great deal and a very strong deal.”
It is not the first time the two sides have appeared close to an initial agreement on ending the war that began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, but PM Shehbaz said on X: “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.” PM Shehbaz said in his post that he was “confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace”, thanking both Washington and Tehran “for their ongoing commitment”.
A Pakistani foreign ministry statement also said the signing was planned for Sunday. The war has sent global energy prices sharply higher and killed thousands of people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, where the war has revived a conflict between Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah militants.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that while changes in the deal were still possible, the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger from the conflict.
Hours after those remarks, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the drones had posed a threat to commercial traffic. US Central Command later confirmed the action and said the strait, a major artery for global oil supplies, was open. Iran has for months effectively blockaded the strait, and the US navy has blocked Iranian ports to reduce its oil exports. The proposed memorandum of understanding calls for reopening the strait and lifting the US naval blockade, sources on all sides of the talks said. Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme—Trump’s stated rationale for starting the war—would take place afterwards.
“Iran is going to open up the Strait of Hormuz, that’s a requirement. It could be open with no tolls. As they do that, we will lift our blockade,” said the US official who spoke on Saturday.
“It’s going to happen in conjunction, and part of the next step, the phase after that, is going to be the demining of the straits,” the official said, indicating countries in the Group of Seven major powers could have a role in this.
Draft terms described to Reuters by multiple sources indicate the US would begin releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait.
Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Baghaei as saying the release of Iran’s frozen assets was an integral part of the agreement and also that Iran would have to charge for services in the Strait of Hormuz.
Fars also quoted him as saying foreign military bases in the region must end without providing details.
Iran’s nuclear programme would be addressed during a 60-day period of talks. A US official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.
But Araghchi said that Iran, which sources said has not accepted the dismantling of its nuclear programme, wanted to retain the uranium in diluted form. The proposals also include discussion of possible war reparations for Tehran and dropping longstanding US demands for limits on Iran’s missile programme, the sources said. The US official disputed that account.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not be party to the agreement. He has clashed with Trump over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.
Araghchi said the agreement would end the war in Lebanon, implying an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war and later replaced in the role by his son Mojtaba. Khamenei’s funeral will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown, the northeastern holy city of Mashhad, on July 9, Iranian state media reported on Saturday.
In his post on Saturday, Trump said that “when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust... and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States”. “Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly,” he added. “If it doesn´t, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!”
In the streets of Tehran, there was scepticism the latest agreement would cross the finish line. “I don´t think there is any deal soon,” said Saeed Sadeghi, 49. “I don´t trust their word.” Another man in the city of Tonekabon, who identified himself only as Ali, said deal or no deal, Iranians would suffer.
Lebanon reported Israeli strikes in the country´s south on Saturday, as the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for the city of Nabatieh and more than 20 other locations ahead of raids. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed efforts to end the Iran conflict during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, Downing Street said on Saturday. Starmer welcomed progress made so far and reiterated that Britain stands ready to support the implementation of any peace agreement and work with international partners to ensure its success. The two leaders also agreed on the need to restore freedom of navigation to ease global economic impact.
A senior US official on Saturday called an emerging agreement on Iran a strong deal and said that the United States would participate in de-mining of the Strait of Hormuz once the accord is sealed.
A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in its port bow off the coast of Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday.
UKMTO said the incident had occurred on Friday, 6 nautical miles east of Oman. The crew were reported safe and there was no reported environmental impact, while the tanker was continuing to its next port of call.
UAE foreign ministry said allegations of frozen Iranian funds being released are “entirely false and unfounded”, CNBC reported.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar Saturday held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan and discussed the regional situation.
They welcomed the US–Iran negotiations which is in its final stage, with the electronic signing ceremony scheduled for Sunday (today), and expressed the hope that this important development will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Saudi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and sustained efforts in support of mediation and dialogue throughout the process. Both sides also discussed the forthcoming Regional Four Foreign Ministers (R-4) meeting, scheduled to be held in Egypt later this month.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar also spoke with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Saturday.
Welcoming the encouraging progress towards an understanding between the United States and Iran, they expressed hope that ongoing efforts would soon contribute to peace and stability in the region, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Abdelatty, Radio Pakistan reported.
The two leaders discussed the latest developments in the regional situation and welcomed the positive momentum in ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
They expressed hope that an early and constructive outcome in the ongoing engagement between the United States and Iran would be reached, contributing to lasting peace and stability in the region. Both sides also agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Saturday, Radio Pakistan reported.
The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for Qatar’s strong and steadfast support for Pakistan’s peace efforts throughout the Gulf crisis.Sincerely appreciating Pakistan’s remarkable efforts for peace, the Qatari Prime Minister paid tribute to the Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing an instrumental role in steering the diplomatic efforts. He said Qatar is proud to extend its support to Pakistan’s endeavours and hopes that this would bring lasting peace to the region.
Dozens protested Saturday outside a foreign ministry office in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, chanting slogans against top diplomat Abbas Araghchi after a televised interview in which he discussed signing a peace deal with the US.
The protest comes as the peace deal touted by President Trump faces opposition from hardline Iranian figures. They argue that it does not serve Iran’s interests.
