US-Iran peace deal edges closer; Pakistan says agreement could be signed soon

The United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia, though both sides remain cautious about setting a timeline for finalising the deal.

Adding to growing optimism, Pakistan has suggested that an agreement could be signed as early as Sunday.

The diplomatic momentum follows signals from both Washington and Tehran on Friday that a deal to end the three-month conflict is within reach. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US “has never been closer”, while a senior Trump administration official estimated there was an 80-85% chance of an agreement being signed soon.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two sides had agreed on a framework for peace and that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing ceremony, followed by technical-level talks next week.

Key developments in the US-Iran peace talks

When could the deal be signed?
Conflicting signals have emerged over the timing of the agreement, with neither Washington nor Tehran officially confirming a signing date. Sharif said a framework had been agreed upon and suggested a deal could be finalised within 24 hours.

“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 wrote on X.

However, both Iran and the US have refrained from endorsing that timeline.

Iran urges caution on timing
Iran indicated that a framework agreement could be signed in the coming days but dismissed suggestions that it would happen within 24 hours. Araghchi said that while changes to the text remain possible, the tentative agreement reflects Tehran’s strengthened position after the conflict.

‘Wait and see,’ says Tehran
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the agreement would not be signed on Sunday and cautioned against speculation.

“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 that a deal in the coming days remained possible but uncertainty from the other side required caution.

US signals confidence
US President Donald Trump has not publicly commented on the timing of the agreement, though he reposted Sharif’s message. US officials said both sides had agreed on a draft text and that Washington expected an initial deal to be signed in the coming days. One senior official described the prospective agreement as a “strong deal” with Tehran.

Israel not part of the agreement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not be a party to the proposed US-Iran agreement, a stance that could complicate efforts to secure a broader regional settlement.

Israel’s role was a key point of contention during earlier ceasefire negotiations, with Netanyahu previously clashing with Trump over US calls for Israel to limit military operations in Lebanon to facilitate diplomacy with Tehran.