Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Saturday that a peace deal between Iran and the United States is expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours, with preparations underway for an electronic signing of the document. This development comes as Pakistan continues its mediation efforts between the two nations, which have been engaged in a conflict since late February.
Breakthrough in Negotiations
In a post on X, Sharif stated, "We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalization likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week." The statement follows weeks of stalled negotiations over an initial memorandum of understanding, with both Washington and Tehran recently signaling progress toward an agreement.
Ongoing Tensions
Despite the optimistic outlook, tensions remain high. The United States reported downing multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, quoted by state broadcaster IRIB, cautioned that until a complete agreement is reached on all issues, it cannot be said with certainty that an understanding has been achieved.
Pakistan has been actively pushing both sides to reach an agreement after a fragile ceasefire was established in April. Islamabad hosted talks between the warring parties, which initially ended without a resolution. Sharif expressed gratitude to Washington, Tehran, and regional leaders for their support of Pakistan's mediation efforts, adding, "We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace."
