Pakistan sees US-Iran agreement likely within 24 hours

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending their conflict, is imminent. He announced on X that a deal could be finalized within the next 24 hours, stating, "We are closer to a peace agreement than ever before."

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We are closer to a peace agreement than ever before.

Sharif indicated that Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, with further technical discussions scheduled for the upcoming week. This development follows weeks of stalled negotiations, with both parties signaling that an end to hostilities is near. A senior US government official confirmed that Washington and Tehran have agreed on a text, and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi echoed the sentiment, noting that the "Islamabad declaration of intent has never been closer."

The anticipated agreement reportedly involves the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of US blockades on Iranian ports. In return, the US would release frozen Iranian assets and suspend oil sanctions. The contentious issue of Iran's nuclear program is slated for a subsequent 60-day negotiation phase. The US insists on a complete dismantling and destruction of highly enriched uranium, while Iran wishes to retain the material in a diluted form.

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We expect that we will sign this agreement in the next few days.

It remains unclear whether the agreement will resolve the dispute over Lebanon, which includes Iran's demand for Israel to cease its offensive against Hezbollah. Israel is not directly involved in the US-Iran negotiations. The conflict began on February 28 with joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of Revolutionary Leader Ali Khamenei, with the stated goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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The Islamabad declaration of intent was never closer.