Reuters
President Donald Trump said a deal to end fighting between the United States and Iran should be signed on Sunday, after Iran raised doubts about the timeline.
In a social media post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, would be “open to all” once the deal was reached.
On Saturday, Pakistan, a key mediator, also said the deal “should probably” be finalized within 24 hours and was “preparing for electronic signature.”
Before Trump’s comments, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei expressed caution about the timeline, saying: “We will have to wait and see the exact date of signing the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow.” [Sunday]”.
A delegation from Qatar, which also mediated the talks, arrived in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian media reported.
It was unclear whether the visit would affect the timetable for Iran’s expected signing of the deal.
In an article published Saturday on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The agreement is expected to be signed tomorrow, and immediately after its signing, the Strait of Hormuz is OPEN TO EVERYONE. »
In an apparent reference to Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium, Trump said that “when the time comes, when everything is calm, we will go in and collect the nuclear dust,” adding that it will then be destroyed.
For decades, Iran has been accused by Western countries of trying to build a nuclear bomb. He denied the accusations, saying his program was for peaceful purposes – to generate electricity and for research purposes.
Trump also warned that if things didn’t “go quickly, easily and smoothly,” Washington had “the ultimate alternative, which we hope will never be used again!” »
Earlier on Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “we are closer than ever to a peace agreement.”
“With finalization likely expected within the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace agreement immediately thereafter, followed by technical negotiations next week,” Sharif wrote on X.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said a deal with the United States was close.
The agreement envisaged an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said.
Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program will begin later.
U.S. officials confirmed some details of the deal, saying economic benefits to Iran would depend on Tehran meeting its obligations.
In recent months, variations of a deal have been repeatedly expected, but have not been finalized in later stages.
The war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Iran to attack Israel and U.S.-allied states in the Gulf — and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Despite agreeing to a ceasefire in April, the United States and Iran have exchanged intermittent fire.
Previous US reports had suggested that the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah Lebanon might not be part of the deal – with Iran apparently insisting on this.
Israel is not part of the US-Iran deal and has also insisted it will continue to strike Hezbollah, in response to its attacks in northern Israel.
On Sunday, Israel issued evacuation orders for 29 villages in southern Lebanon – a decision that usually precedes airstrikes.
“In light of Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is obliged to act against it with force,” Israeli army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said, referring to two suspected drones that struck a military zone in northern Israel.
