US-Iran Deal Appears Closer, Though Signing Date Is Still Unclear
US-Iran Deal Nears Completion, But Signing Timeline Remains Uncertain
Officials state that Washington will unfreeze Iranian assets and discuss the nuclear program in subsequent negotiations.
Pakistani and US officials anticipate a Sunday signing of a long-awaited framework agreement aimed at concluding hostilities between the United States and Iran, though Tehran expressed skepticism regarding the timing, and hardline protesters in Iran showed resistance.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that both parties had concurred on a structure for a peace agreement and that Islamabad was getting ready for an electronic signing on Sunday, which would be succeeded by technical discussions in the following week.
US President Donald Trump shared on social media Saturday that the agreement with US-Iran Deal was set to be signed the following day, which is his 80th birthday.
However, Iran did not verify a signing that took place on Sunday. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, had warned against discussing the timing of the signing before Trump’s post but was cited by state media stating, “It will not be tomorrow,” though it could occur “in the coming days.”
Trump stated on Truth Social that once a framework agreement is signed, the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies that Iran has closed off, would promptly be “accessible to everyone.”
Iranian hardliners continue to be prominent after US-Iran Deal
Although US bombings have significantly weakened Iran’s military-industrial infrastructure and harmed its armed forces, experts indicate that the war has reinforced the supremacy of hardline Revolutionary Guard even more than prior.
Footage on social media and US-Iran Deal news sites depicted opponents of an accord assembling in squares and outside the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, seemingly holding Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accountable as they shouted, “Araqchi, have some shame, release America!”
On February 28, when the US and Israel initiated the war against Iran, Trump urged Iranians to revolt and seize control of government institutions.
Despite the apparent progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran over the last two days, conflicts have persisted, with the US military enforcing a blockade on Iran and attempting to ease Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that was vital for 20% of global oil shipments prior to the war.
On Saturday morning, US troops intercepted several US-Iran Deal one-way attack drones that were approaching the strait, according to the US military. Israel, claiming it is not involved in the US-Iran agreement, stated on Saturday that it had targeted over 70 locations in Lebanon within a 24-hour span against the Iranian ally Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disagreed with Trump regarding US requests for Israel to limit military activities in Lebanon to help Washington negotiate with Tehran.
On Friday, Araqchi noted that although alterations to the deal remained feasible, the preliminary agreement indicated that his nation had come out more resilient from the conflict.
Prioritizing the opening of the Strait, with nuclear discussions to follow after US-Iran Deal
During pro-government rallies held throughout Iran on Saturday night, locals and news outlets indicated that hardliners against the framework agreement expressed their discontent vocally.
A resident of the northeastern city of Mashhad informed Reuters that certain protesters shouted: “Death to the compromiser,” seemingly alluding to Araghchi. “Settler, give up, give up.”
The suggested memorandum of understanding requests the reopening of the strait and the removal of the US naval blockade, sources from all parties in the discussions stated. Discussions regarding US-Iran Deal nuclear program — a primary reason Trump has cited for the conflict — would occur subsequently.
“Iran plans to open the Strait of Hormuz, which is necessary.” It might be accessible without any fees. “While they proceed with that, we will remove our blockade,” a US official stated to reporters.
“The demining of the straits will occur simultaneously, and as part of the subsequent phase, the official mentioned that nations within the Group of Seven might play a part in this.”
Downing Street announced on Saturday that Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about efforts to resolve the Iran conflict.
Terms outlined to Reuters by various sources suggest that the US would start unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets and lift sanctions on its oil exports in exchange for US-Iran Deal reopening the strait.
Iran’s Fars news agency cited Baghaei stating that the release of Iran’s frozen assets was a crucial aspect of the agreement and that Iran would need to impose charges for services in the Strait of Hormuz.
He stated that military bases from other countries in the area need to be terminated, the agency reported, without offering specifics.
Iran’s nuclear program will be discussed over a span of 60 days of negotiations. A US official stated that the accord would eventually result in the disassembly of US-Iran Deal nuclear initiative, with its reserves of highly enriched uranium to be eliminated and taken away.
