Trump announces war-ending deal to be signed on Sunday, Iran skeptical about the timing

WASHINGTON — On Saturday, President Donald Trump and ​Pakistan, acting​ as a mediator, announced that a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Middle East ‍would be signed on‍ Sunday. However, Iran⁤ refuted the⁢ claim that the signing would occur so soon.

Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, ⁣stated that both parties⁢ had reached a consensus on a peace deal framework. He added that Islamabad was gearing up for‍ an electronic⁢ signing on Sunday, which would be‌ followed by ⁣technical-level discussions next week.

In a social media post, Trump also mentioned that the deal with Iran was set to be​ signed on Sunday. He added that ⁣the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel‌ for ⁢global oil supplies which Iran has blocked, would be⁣ “open to all” immediately after⁣ the signing.

Earlier on Saturday, Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian ‍Foreign Ministry, ⁢advised against speculating on ⁤the timing of ⁤the signing.

“We will have ‍to wait ⁢and see about the ⁢exact date of the signing⁤ of the memorandum of understanding, although it will ​not ⁤be tomorrow,” Baghaei was quoted by state media.

“The possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled ⁢out. However, due to the hesitation of the ‌other side, we must be cautious ⁢in making any comments about this process.”

A U.S. official, who spoke⁣ to ​reporters later, declined to​ comment ‍on the timing but described it​ as,‌ “It’s a great deal and a very strong deal.”

This is not ⁢the⁤ first time the two sides have seemed‌ close ⁤to‍ an initial agreement on ending the war that began on ‌Feb. 28⁤ with joint U.S.-Israeli⁢ strikes on ⁢Iran.⁣ However, Sharif stated, ⁤”We are closer to ‌a peace deal than ⁤ever ⁤before.”

The ⁤war has caused a ⁣significant increase in global‌ energy prices and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. ⁤The war has reignited a ‍conflict‍ between⁢ Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah militants.

What‍ does the deal entail?

On Friday,⁤ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated⁣ that while changes in the deal⁤ were still possible, the ‍tentative agreement⁣ demonstrated that his country had emerged stronger ⁤from the conflict.

Hours after those remarks, U.S.‍ forces shot down several Iranian⁢ one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, according ‍to a​ source​ familiar with the matter.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated that the drones posed ⁢a threat to commercial traffic. U.S. Central Command later confirmed the action ​and announced that the strait, a major artery for global ‌oil supplies, was open.

For months, Iran has effectively blockaded the⁣ strait, and the U.S. Navy has blocked⁣ Iranian ports to ⁣reduce its oil exports.

The proposed memorandum of understanding calls for the reopening of the strait and ​the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade,‍ according to sources from all sides of ⁢the ⁢talks. Negotiations over Iran’s​ nuclear program, which Trump cited as the reason for starting the war, would take place afterward.

“Iran is going ⁤to ‍open up the‌ Strait of Hormuz, that’s a requirement. It could be⁢ open with no tolls. ‌As they do that, ‍we will lift our blockade,” said the U.S. official ⁢who spoke on ⁣Saturday.

“It’s ⁢going to happen in conjunction, and part of the next step, the phase⁣ after that,⁣ is going to be the demining of‌ the straits,” ‌the official ⁣said, ‍suggesting that countries in the leading industrial nations could play​ a role in this.

Frozen assets

Draft terms⁢ described to Reuters ‍by multiple sources indicate that‌ the U.S. would begin releasing‌ billions of dollars in frozen ⁤Iranian assets and waive sanctions​ on its oil exports, ⁢in return for Iran opening the ⁤strait.

Iran’s Fars ⁤news agency⁢ quoted Baghaei⁢ as‌ saying the release of Iran’s ‍frozen assets ⁤was ⁣an ​integral part of ⁢the agreement and also that Iran⁤ would have to charge for services in ​the Strait of Hormuz.

Fars also quoted him as saying that foreign military bases in the region must end, without providing details.

Iran’s nuclear program would be addressed​ during a 60-day period of ‍talks. A U.S. official⁣ said the agreement would ultimately lead ⁤to the dismantling ⁤of Iran’s nuclear program, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.

But ⁣Araqchi said ‍that ‌Iran, which sources ⁢said‌ has not accepted​ the dismantling of its nuclear program, ‍wanted to‌ retain the uranium in diluted ‍form.

The proposals also include discussion of possible war reparations for Tehran and⁢ dropping longstanding U.S.‍ demands ​for limits⁤ on Iran’s missile program, the sources said.​ The U.S. official disputed that account.

Israel not ‍party to memorandum

Israeli Prime Minister ⁣Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not be party to ‌the agreement. He‍ has clashed ‌with Trump over U.S.‍ demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow⁤ Washington to reach​ a⁤ deal with Tehran.

Araqchi said the agreement would end the war in Lebanon, ‌implying an Israeli withdrawal⁢ from ⁤occupied areas.

Israel’s defense minister said it would⁣ not withdraw. A senior‍ Israeli official​ said Israel expects to retain its freedom‌ to ​act against ⁤threats.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war and later⁤ replaced in the role⁢ by his son, Mojtaba. Khamenei’s funeral will begin in Tehran on​ July 4 and conclude with ⁣his burial in his hometown, the northeastern‍ holy city of Mashhad, ‌on July 9, Iranian state media reported on ⁢Saturday.