Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in the negotiations, was preparing for an electronic signing of the proposed agreement, with technical-level talks expected to follow next week.
In a post on X, the prime minister said the parties were “closer to a peace deal than ever before” and expressed confidence that the agreement could provide a foundation for lasting regional peace.
US President Donald Trump also stated that the deal was scheduled to be signed on Sunday and claimed that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened to international shipping immediately afterward. The strategic waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes, has been heavily affected by the conflict.
However, Iran struck a more cautious tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was not ready to confirm the timing of any signing ceremony, adding that developments in the coming days remained possible but uncertainty persisted due to what he described as hesitation from the other side.
The conflict began on February 28 following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israel and US-aligned states in the Gulf. The fighting disrupted regional security and contributed to instability in global energy markets.
According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the emerging agreement would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of certain US restrictions affecting Iranian trade and maritime activity. Discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme would take place during a subsequent phase of negotiations.
US officials said economic benefits for Iran would depend on compliance with its obligations under the agreement. Washington has maintained that any long-term settlement must address Iran’s nuclear activities and ensure regional security.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a final agreement was within reach but stressed that changes to the draft remained possible. He also indicated that Tehran sought to preserve parts of its nuclear programme, highlighting one of the key issues still under discussion.
The diplomatic efforts have received support from several regional and international partners. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Switzerland have all welcomed progress in the talks and expressed hope that a final agreement would contribute to stability across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the ground. Israeli strikes were reported in southern Lebanon on Saturday, while protests took place in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, where hardline groups criticised the proposed agreement and accused negotiators of making excessive concessions.
Despite the optimism expressed by Washington and Islamabad, analysts note that previous announcements of imminent breakthroughs have failed to produce a final settlement, leaving uncertainty over whether the latest effort will ultimately succeed.
