Trump says US-Iran deal will be signed Sunday, Tehran denies; Pakistan prepares virtual ceremony

Trump's announcement

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday. He promised that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately afterwards. The post did not specify how or where the signing would occur. Trump also warned that if diplomacy fails, "we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again." He is due to travel to France for the start of the G7 summit on Monday, with reports suggesting he wants a deal wrapped up by then.

Iran's denial

Hours before Trump's post, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Bakaei told the state news agency Irna that the agreement would not be signed on Sunday. "We must wait until the exact date of the signing is determined," he said. "It will not be tomorrow, Sunday, but rather in the coming days." Iranian media previously circulated details resembling a wish list, including a demand for the US to contribute $300 billion to reconstruction. Trump responded on social media that those terms "have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to."

We must wait until the exact date of the signing is determined. It will not be tomorrow, Sunday, but rather in the coming days.

Pakistan as mediator

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X that finalisation is expected within 24 hours and that Pakistan is preparing for an electronic signing immediately afterwards. Pakistan's foreign ministry also confirmed that a virtual signing ceremony is planned for Sunday. The US news outlet Axios reported that US officials and sources in mediating countries confirmed the signing will be virtual, partly for logistical reasons. Trump shared a screenshot of Sharif's post, a signal that he is open to an electronic ceremony. If it proceeds on Sunday, it will coincide with Trump's 80th birthday.

With finalisation expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace agreement immediately afterwards.

Framework and next steps

The emerging framework is reported to extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and serve as a starting point for deeper negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Trump stressed that Iran will receive no funds in this first step. At a later stage, when the situation stabilises, efforts will begin to recover Iran's buried uranium stockpiles, dilute them, and destroy them, either inside Iran or in the United States.

Military activity

While diplomacy moved forward, the US confirmed it shot down drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz overnight. A tanker off the coast of Oman was also struck by an "unknown projectile." The incidents underline the fragility of the situation even as talks approach a critical juncture.