By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed optimism that the United States and Iran were on the verge of reaching a historic peace agreement, saying an initial deal was expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the prime minister said Pakistan was making preparations for the electronic signing of the proposed agreement immediately after its finalization. He added that technical-level discussions between the parties would follow next week to address implementation details and other outstanding matters.
“We are closer to a peace deal than ever before,” Prime Minister Shehbaz wrote. “With finalisation 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.”
He said Pakistan remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at ensuring stability in the region and expressed confidence that the agreement would pave the way for a durable and lasting peace.
“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace,” the prime minister added.
The announcement comes amid reports that negotiations between Washington and Tehran have made significant progress. According to Reuters, both sides have indicated that a framework agreement to end months of conflict is close to completion. A senior US administration official said the two countries had agreed on a draft text and that Washington expected an initial accord to be signed in the coming days.
Pakistan has played a key diplomatic role throughout the crisis, acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran since the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East. The conflict began following joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28.
In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on American military installations in the Gulf region and imposed restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. The situation further escalated when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel, broadening the regional conflict.
The war has resulted in thousands of casualties, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while disruptions to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz triggered sharp increases in global oil and energy prices.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the proposed memorandum of understanding includes measures aimed at restoring maritime security and reducing tensions. The agreement reportedly calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of restrictions affecting Iranian ports.
Diplomatic sources said discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, which US President Donald Trump cited as a primary reason for military action, would be addressed during a subsequent phase of negotiations.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposed agreement fulfilled Washington’s main strategic objectives and placed future negotiations on a positive trajectory.
Sources involved in the talks told Reuters that the draft agreement envisages the gradual release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and the easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports in exchange for Tehran’s cooperation in reopening the strategic waterway.
The proposed framework also includes a 60-day negotiation period focused on Iran’s nuclear activities. US officials maintain that the process would eventually lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, including the removal and destruction of highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Tehran had not agreed to dismantle its nuclear programme entirely. He stated that Iran seeks to retain its uranium reserves in a diluted form while remaining open to further discussions.
Araghchi also suggested that certain elements of the proposed agreement could still change before final approval. Nevertheless, he described the emerging deal as evidence that Iran had strengthened its position despite the conflict.
“Iran is the winner of the war with the US,” he said during an appearance on state television.
Meanwhile, security concerns remain despite progress in negotiations. According to a source familiar with the matter, US forces intercepted and destroyed several Iranian one-way attack drones that were reportedly heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. The source said the drones posed a potential threat to commercial shipping in the region.
US Central Command later confirmed the operation and stated that maritime traffic through the strategic waterway remained open and secure.
Diplomatic observers view the potential agreement as one of the most significant developments in Middle East diplomacy in recent years. If finalized, the deal could help ease regional tensions, stabilize global energy markets, and create an opportunity for broader negotiations on long-standing disputes between Washington and Tehran.
