Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed progress toward a US-Iran agreement with his Swiss counterpart on Saturday, after Switzerland confirmed it had offered to host a possible signing ceremony. This comes amid growing indications that negotiations are nearing a conclusion.
Diplomatic Call Details
Dar spoke with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis as diplomatic efforts intensified following Pakistan's announcement a day earlier that a final text of a proposed peace deal between Washington and Tehran had been agreed. Pakistan's foreign ministry stated on X that both ministers welcomed the encouraging progress toward an understanding between the United States and Iran and expressed hope that ongoing efforts would soon contribute to peace and stability in the region. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact.
Pakistan's Mediation Role
The call came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan, which has been mediating between the United States and Iran, was working with both governments to finalize the next steps after a final text of the proposed agreement had been reached. Sharif wrote on social media that amid intense mediation efforts, Pakistan was aware of a misinformation campaign by those wanting to sabotage the peace deal. He confirmed that a final, agreed-upon text had been reached and that Pakistan was working closely with both sides to finalize the next steps.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed Sharif's comments, saying the proposed 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' had never been closer, though senior US and Iranian officials continued to publicly dispute aspects of the agreement.
Background of the Accord
The proposed accord follows months of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and a series of Pakistan-mediated communications aimed at ending hostilities and addressing disputes over Iran's nuclear program and regional security.
Switzerland's Venue Offer
Switzerland, which represents US interests in Iran in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, said on Friday it had proposed Switzerland as the venue for a possible signing ceremony. However, Araghchi was quoted by AFP as saying any draft agreement would be signed remotely after finalization, potentially within days, suggesting unresolved discussions over the format of any signing.
A senior US official expressed optimism, saying there was an 80-85 percent chance the parties would sign a deal in the coming days, according to AFP. However, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of negotiating in bad faith, while Iranian officials said some issues remained unresolved.
Future Steps
Media reports have speculated that Dar or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could travel to Geneva for any signing ceremony, though there has been no official confirmation from Islamabad.
