Guterres urges caution on US-Iran deal, but calls reports 'encouraging'

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for prudence concerning reports that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran is close to being finalized. However, he also conveyed that the information is encouraging.

Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesperson, stated at a daily press briefing that the delicate nature of the situation warrants respect for the process. He noted that similar claims of proximity to a deal have been made before. "We find the general tone of what we are hearing to be encouraging," Dujarric said.

The announcement follows a message from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country is mediating the talks. Sharif declared that a definitive and consensual text for a peace agreement has been reached. He added that Pakistan is working closely with both parties on the next steps, asserting that "peace has never been as close as it is now."

US President Donald Trump had previously stated on Thursday that a "great peace deal" with Iran was within reach, pending formalization and potentially a signing ceremony in Europe over the weekend. He even suggested his Vice President, JD Vance, might attend the signing. However, this is not the first time the US leader has referred to a potential pact to end the Middle East conflict in such terms.

Iran initially denied reaching an agreement after Trump's statement. Yet, on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that the "memorandum of understanding" with Washington "has never been so close." This latest development occurs after a week of renewed exchanges of attacks between the US and Iran, following the downing of a US helicopter by Iranian forces. Negotiations between the two nations had been stalled for weeks as they exchanged drafts of a peace agreement, with Pakistan acting as the intermediary.