Could a US-Iran Peace Agreement Be Just Hours Away? Insights from Pakistan's PM
Pakistan's Role in US-Iran Peace Negotiations
Islamabad: On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan announced that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran could be finalized within the next 24 hours, sparking optimism for a diplomatic resolution after prolonged negotiations.
Sharif expressed that the prospects for a peace deal have never been more promising, with an electronic signing anticipated shortly, followed by technical discussions scheduled for the upcoming week. He shared this update via a post on X.
He extended his gratitude to both the United States and Iran for their dedication throughout the negotiation process and acknowledged the support from regional nations.
In his post, he expressed confidence that this landmark agreement would lay a robust foundation for enduring peace, tagging notable figures including US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Marco Rubio, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
However, there has been no immediate response from the White House or Iranian officials regarding Sharif's claims about the timeline for the agreement.
Sharif's comments followed his earlier statement indicating that both the US and Iran had reached an agreement on the text of the peace deal, with Pakistan facilitating the next steps.
He emphasized that a final, mutually accepted text of the peace deal has been established, and Pakistan is actively collaborating with both parties to finalize the subsequent actions.
Previously, Araghchi hinted at advancements in the discussions, stating that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer to completion.
He urged the media to avoid speculation about the agreement's details until it is finalized, assuring that all pertinent information would be disclosed to the public in due time.
Iranian representatives have indicated that an agreement is imminent, although they noted that the memorandum is still under review.
Trump remarked on Friday that the US is nearing a deal with Iran aimed at de-escalating the conflict, with a memorandum of understanding potentially being signed soon.
In contrast, Vance warned against the spread of misinformation regarding the prospective deal, clarifying that Iran would not receive any cash or funds merely for signing an agreement or attending meetings.
He stated that any economic advantages for Iran would be contingent upon its compliance with the proposed terms. Vance emphasized that this deal could transform the region and foster lasting peace, while also advising caution regarding unverified media reports and anonymous social media claims.
The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, has unsettled global markets, strained regional alliances, and intensified diplomatic efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution.
Pakistan, regarded as a trusted mediator by both Washington and Tehran, has played a pivotal role in these discussions.
After a fragile ceasefire was established in April, Islamabad hosted the initial round of peace talks that month, attended by senior officials from both sides, although they did not succeed in reaching an agreement.