Pakistan says US-Iran peace deal could be signed within 24 hours

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for a peace deal to end months of conflict in the Middle East, and that an electronic signing is expected within 24 hours. He said technical talks would follow next week, and added, "We are fully aware of the relentless disinformation campaign" by those seeking to derail the deal. Sharif said, "If we put aside the background noise, we can confirm that a final agreed text has been reached," and that Pakistan is working closely with both sides on next steps.

A senior Trump administration official told The Washington Post that the parties are at least 80% of the way to an agreement, while warning that some uncertainty remains about Iran's final consent. The official said, "The Iranian system is very complicated. Most of the people we've spoken to, and most of the people who have authority within their system, want to sign this deal, but not everyone."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media he remained "optimistic and hopeful" about signing, and said Iran's Supreme National Security Council is expected to make the final decision within days. On social media last night, Araghchi wrote that a deal had "never been closer." Separately, an Arab media report said a memorandum of understanding could be signed by tomorrow in Geneva, with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expected to sign it. Reports also said Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had approved the deal.

A White House official told Fox News that Iran had agreed to a "performance-based agreement" requiring major concessions before any sanctions relief. According to that account, Iran's nuclear material would be destroyed and removed from its territory, its nuclear program dismantled, and no money would be released until it complies. The official also said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and that Iran would stop funding its proxy terror groups. Despite the reported progress, U.S. Central Command said Iran launched at least four drones toward commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, and all were intercepted.