Pakistan announces alleged US-Iran agreement on peace deal

Pakistan announced that the United States and Iran have agreed on a final text for a peace accord, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating on X that the nations have never been closer to peace. Pakistan has been acting as a mediator in the conflict.

Echoing this sentiment, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi indicated that an "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" to resolve the conflict was "closer than ever." U.S. President Donald Trump had previously fueled hopes for an end to the Iran conflict, announcing a "breakthrough" in negotiations. He described the deal as "great" and asserted it would ensure Iran "never" possesses nuclear weapons, suggesting a signing in the coming days, possibly in Europe.

Reports from the Iranian news agency Mehr suggest the draft agreement includes the lifting of U.S. sanctions and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. It also reportedly outlines the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region around Iran and an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. These terms would largely meet the demands of the Iranian regime, which also insists on an end to fighting in Lebanon, where the Israeli army is engaged with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

However, discrepancies have emerged regarding the specifics of the agreement. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel rejects a withdrawal from Lebanon. President Trump also accused Iran of spreading lies and "fake news" about the terms, claiming that what Iran was saying did not align with written agreements. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are reportedly expected to sign the text, with Geneva being the most likely venue.