U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Middle East is set to be signed on Sunday. However, Iran has cast doubt on the timeline of the signing.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif indicated that both parties have agreed on a framework for a peace deal, with Islamabad preparing for an electronic signature on Sunday. This will be followed by technical discussions next week.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump stated that the agreement with Iran is planned to be signed tomorrow, suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil supply artery currently closed by Iran—will "open to all" immediately after the signing.
Conversely, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei urged caution regarding the signing date.
Official media quoted Baghaei, "We must wait to pinpoint the exact signing date of the agreement. Although it won't be tomorrow, it could occur in the coming days. Given the other party's hesitancy, we must be cautious when making statements about this process."
Both sides have appeared close to a preliminary deal to end the conflict that erupted on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Yet Prime Minister Sharif tweeted on "X," "We are closer to a peace agreement than ever before."
Agreement Provisions
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi mentioned potential tweaks to the agreement text.
Hours after these statements, a source informed Reuters that U.S. forces had downed several Iranian attack drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, noted the drones posed a threat to commercial shipping.
The U.S. Central Command later confirmed the operation and stated the strait is open to navigation.
Iran effectively shut the strait, while the U.S. Navy blockaded Iranian ports to minimize Iran's oil exports.
Negotiation insiders stated the proposed agreement calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
Discussions on Iran's nuclear program, the issue that prompted Trump to initiate the war, will follow.
Frozen Assets
A draft of terms, disclosed by several Reuters sources, indicates the U.S. will gradually release billions in frozen Iranian assets and lift sanctions on Iran's crude exports, contingent on Iran reopening the strait.
Iran's Fars News Agency quoted Baghaei saying that the release of frozen assets is integral to the agreement, and Iran will apply service fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
Nuclear program discussions have a 60-day timeline.
An American official noted the agreement aims to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, ultimately destroying its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
However, Araqchi stated Iran intends to keep its uranium in a diluted form, hinting at reluctance to dismantle its nuclear initiative.
Israel Not a Party to the Agreement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel will not be a part of the agreement.
Netanyahu and Trump clashed over U.S. demands for Israel to limit its military actions in Lebanon to facilitate a deal with Iran.
Araqchi suggested the agreement might end the war in Lebanon, implicitly referring to an Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories.
The Israeli Defense Minister refuted withdrawal plans, with a senior Israeli official asserting Israel's intent to preserve freedom to address threats.