Iran war day 106: US and Iran say deal close but Lebanon fighting continues

Officials from Iran and the United States indicated on Friday that a deal to end the ongoing war may be within reach, with a final text reportedly agreed upon, although crucial implementation steps are still pending.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a memorandum of understanding with Washington had "never been closer" and urged against premature speculation. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously labeled similar reports as "fake news," later reposted Araghchi's remarks. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, involved in mediating the talks, confirmed that a "final, agreed-upon text" exists but requires completion of "next steps."

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a memorandum of understanding with Washington had “never been closer”

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall noted that Araghchi acknowledged internal disagreements within Iran's leadership regarding the proposed memorandum but described them as manageable. The initial phase of the deal is expected to include a comprehensive ceasefire, the lifting of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Securing and maintaining a ceasefire in Lebanon is considered the critical test for the agreement's viability.

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final, agreed-upon text

Meanwhile, Iranian state media, citing senior official Mohsen Rezaei, reported that Trump had agreed to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, a claim Trump has not publicly confirmed. In Washington, Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reported that despite Trump's sharper rhetoric accusing Iran of leaking "fake" details, U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, confirmed progress and the potential for incentives if Iran meets agreed benchmarks.

Adding to the tensions, U.S. forces reported intercepting multiple Iranian attack drones allegedly targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, though maritime traffic remained uninterrupted. Analysts suggest Trump is seeking an "off-ramp" from the conflict, potentially avoiding further political and economic costs. In Lebanon, however, there were no signs of a slowdown, with reports of renewed Israeli attacks.

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fake news