US-Iran peace deal likely within 24 hours as Pakistan prepares electronic signing ceremony
Pakistan's prime minister says the United States and Iran are closer than ever to ending their months-long conflict, with a memorandum of understanding set for electronic signing within the day, followed by technical talks in Islamabad next week.
The march to a deal
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced on Saturday, 13 June, that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran could be finalised within 24 hours. "We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. Finalisation is expected probably in the next 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace agreement immediately afterwards," Sharif wrote on X. The statement builds on Friday's claim that the final text had been agreed and on President Donald Trump's Thursday remark that the US could sign a memorandum of understanding over the weekend.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that the draft deal includes ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and a new arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz. "The naval blockade must be fully lifted. That is the first point written in the agreement," he said, adding that no talks on Iran's nuclear programme would begin until the memorandum is fully implemented.
The naval blockade must be fully lifted. That is the first point written in the agreement.
Contested details and disputed venue
The contours of the deal remain fluid. Iran's Mehr news agency published what it said was a 14-point draft that would allow Tehran to keep enriching uranium and to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz, while requiring an end to the war, withdrawal of US forces from the region, lifting of sanctions and release of frozen Iranian assets. Trump dismissed that version outright. "Negotiating with them is very dishonest. There is no such thing as negotiating in good faith with them! A horror!" he said, casting doubt on whether the memorandum would be signed quickly.
Negotiating with them is very dishonest. There is no such thing as negotiating in good faith with them! A horror!
Bloomberg and Axios, citing sources, reported that the signing could take place on Sunday in Geneva, but Iranian state media denied that. Switzerland has offered to host the ceremony, and the Wall Street Journal reported that US Vice President J.D. Vance may travel to Geneva for the signature. Araghchi acknowledged the pact could be signed "in the coming days" and that the document might still change.
A war that started in February
The hostilities trace back to late February. On 26 February, Oman mediated indirect US-Iran talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in Geneva; Oman's diplomacy said at the time that progress had been made and talks would continue soon. Two days later, on 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, citing security concerns and the aim of preventing the theocratic regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies seeking a bomb but enriches uranium far beyond civilian needs, responded by attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US maritime blockade that the draft deal now seeks to lift.
The mediator's push and UAE funds
Pakistan's diplomatic push intensified in recent days. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abd al-Ati and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis; all three expressed hope for a swift and constructive outcome. The Qatari negotiator Ali Savadi also shuttled between Tehran and the US team, reportedly securing the draft text on Wednesday evening after talks with Araghchi and multiple calls with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Separately, Reuters reported that the United Arab Emirates has paid Iran $3 billion in recent weeks, with a broader commitment of $10-20 billion, to stop attacks on Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other parts of its territory. The payments coincide with the peace negotiations, though it is unclear whether the money comes from Emirati funds or from frozen Iranian accounts held in the UAE.
- Indirect US-Iran talks on nuclear programme, mediated by Oman, take place in Geneva; Oman reports progress.
- United States and Israel launch attacks on Iran, citing nuclear threat; Iran later strikes ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Qatari mediator Ali Savadi secures draft text after meeting with Iranian FM and calls with US negotiators Witkoff and Kushner.
- Iranian FM Araghchi says draft includes lifting of blockade and new Hormuz arrangement; Trump says deal possible this weekend.
- Pakistan PM Sharif says final text is ready and signing expected within 24 hours; electronic ceremony prepared.
What comes next
If the memorandum is signed, the next stage shifts to Islamabad for "more difficult technical-level talks" next week. Those discussions will likely tackle the sequencing of sanctions relief, troop withdrawals and the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical chokepoints for oil and gas shipments.
