Officials from the United States, Iran and Pakistan have all expressed optimism on Saturday that a deal to end the war is nearing completion.
Pakistan’s military – a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran – said negotiations over the past 24 hours had produced encouraging progress towards a final understanding, as army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held talks in Tehran with senior Iranian officials.
“Discussions remained focused upon expediting the consultative process underway to support peace and stability in the region,” the army said in a statement.
“Negotiations over the last twenty-four hours have resulted in encouraging progress towards a final understanding”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said a deal could be reached within days, possibly as early as Saturday, though he provided no further details.
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“There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be,” Rubio told reporters from New Delhi during his visit to India.
“There’s been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done,” he said.
“There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say.”
US President Donald Trump told Axios that he will meet his negotiators later on Saturday to review the latest Iranian proposal, and is expected to decide by Sunday whether to strike a “good” deal or escalate military action.
According to Axios, Trump said he would choose between securing an agreement or “blowing them to kingdom come.”
In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was finalising a memorandum of understanding that would serve as an initial framework agreement lasting between 30 and 60 days.
According to Baqaei, the proposed 14-clause framework would cover issues including the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade on Iran, and ending the war “on all fronts”, including Lebanon.
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“Our intention was first to draft a memorandum of understanding, a kind of framework agreement composed of 14 clauses,” Baqaei told state television.
He added there was “a trend towards rapprochement” with Washington, but said, “it does not necessarily mean that we and the United States will reach an agreement on the important issues”.
Baqaei added that Iran’s nuclear programme would not be included in the initial framework and would instead be addressed in separate talks at a later stage.
During the initial 30- to 60-day period, the two sides would continue negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent agreement, he explained.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that mediators believe they are close to finalising a deal to extend the ceasefire by 60 days.
According to the report, the proposal would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and discussions on diluting or transferring Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
In return, Washington would ease restrictions on Iranian ports, offer sanctions relief and begin the phased release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.
“The deal seems to be going in the right direction. It’s with the Americans now for review,” a diplomat told FT.
“Iranians are likely ready to give more on nuclear energy but won’t do it while the war is ongoing – this deal helps bridge the gap.”
