Pakistan confirms final US-Iran peace text, though Washington and Tehran disagree on its contents

Pakistan confirms the text

Pakistan, which has been mediating since the April ceasefire, announced on 12 June that a final consensus version of the peace agreement has been reached. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country is now 'working closely with both sides to finalise the next steps' and accused opponents of a 'relentless disinformation campaign' aimed at sabotaging the deal.

Setting aside all that noise, we can confirm that a definitive and consensus text of the peace agreement has been reached.

Two conflicting versions of the agreement

Hours after Sharif's announcement, a senior Trump administration official said the US was 85% confident a deal would be finished, possibly this weekend. Yet the administration's description of the document differs fundamentally from the version leaked by Iranian news agency Mehr. Washington says it ends the war, reopens the Strait of Hormuz, and obliges Iran to destroy its enriched uranium and forgo nuclear weapons. It also insists no frozen assets will be released simply for signing.

The Iranians are not going to receive cash or have funds released just for signing an agreement or attending a meeting.

What Tehran says is inside

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the memorandum of understanding declares 'the end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.' He also said it commits the sides not to launch a new war or use threats or force. According to the Iranian version, the text delays any conversation about the nuclear programme for 60 days after the deal, and Tehran's signature is conditional on the release of its frozen assets and guarantees that Israel will not attack Lebanon.

The memorandum of understanding of Islamabad declares the end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. We have never forgotten Lebanon in this war, because Lebanon and Hezbollah fought alongside the Iranian people and we will never abandon them.

Israel's position and regional dimensions

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said his forces 'will not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.' Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is not part of the memorandum. The war began on 28 February with a joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran; a truce was declared on 8 April and repeatedly shaken by exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz. More than 3,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March, according to Tehran.

Next steps and signing

President Trump said the document could be signed as soon as this weekend, probably somewhere in Europe, with vice president JD Vance representing Washington. Iran has cautioned that the deal is only a preliminary framework and that the crucial second phase, covering the nuclear programme, begins 60 days later. Araqchi asked the media to refrain from 'speculation about its content' while details are being finalised.