The United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a major agreement aimed at easing months of military tensions between the two countries. President Donald Trump announced that a formal deal could be signed on Sunday, although Iranian officials have expressed caution regarding the timeline.
In a message shared on social media, Trump stated that the agreement was expected to be finalized soon. He also said that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and natural gas, would be reopened to all maritime traffic immediately after the deal takes effect.
Pakistan, which has played a mediation role in the negotiations, also expressed optimism about the progress made. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a final agreement could be concluded within 24 hours and noted that preparations were underway for an electronic signing of the accord.
Despite these positive signals, Iranian authorities have remained more reserved. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that no definitive signing date had been confirmed and suggested that the agreement would likely not be signed on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to help advance negotiations. Qatar has been one of the key mediators working to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Trump also referenced Iran’s nuclear program, indicating that the issue of enriched uranium stockpiles would be addressed once the agreement is fully implemented. However, he did not provide specific details about how this would be handled.
For decades, Western governments have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities. Tehran has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that its nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful purposes, including energy production and scientific research.
According to information released by the parties involved, the proposed agreement may also contain provisions related to broader regional security issues, including the conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that a breakthrough with the United States was within reach. He added that discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program would continue during a later phase of negotiations.
US officials have confirmed that any economic benefits or sanctions relief offered to Iran would depend on Tehran fulfilling its commitments under the agreement.
The negotiations follow months of heightened tensions that included US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, followed by retaliatory actions by Iran against Israel and several US-aligned countries in the region.
The conflict also disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that plays a vital role in global energy supplies. Although a ceasefire was announced in April, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued.
At the same time, Israel has reiterated its intention to continue military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Sunday, the Israeli military issued evacuation notices for several villages in southern Lebanon, a step that often precedes military action.
Israeli officials said the measures were taken in response to alleged ceasefire violations following drone attacks that targeted a military area in northern Israel.
As diplomatic efforts continue, attention remains focused on Washington and Tehran, where a potential agreement could mark a significant step toward reducing tensions and improving stability across the Middle East.
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