Iran says peace deal with US ‘never been closer’, as Pakistan says final text agreed on

The US and Iran have “never been closer” to a deal on ending the war in the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, as mediator Pakistan said a final text had been agreed on. “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” Araghchi wrote on social media, referring to the Pakistani capital which hosted previous US-Iran talks. “Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content,” he added, after purported details of the accord were published by Iranian media. “In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course,” Araghchi added. Expectations have grown in recent days that the two sides are on the verge of an accord, even if tensions and sticking points remain. “We can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached and Pakistan is now working closely with both sides to finalize the next steps,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on social media on Friday. He tagged both the US and Iranian presidents and other leaders from both countries. “Peace has never been as close as it is now,” Sharif said. The US and Iran, however, appeared to have sharply different understandings of the contents of the emerging pact. Leaked terms of the proposed memorandum of understanding outlined by Western, Pakistani and Iranian sources on Friday appeared to favour Iran, drawing criticism from US President Donald Trump, who called the reports inaccurate. While there were minor differences in the accounts, all appeared to offer Tehran much of what it has demanded so far, with Trump appearing to win little of what he has sought, beyond the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran shut after the US and Israel launched attacks in February. Trump said leaked comments about the deal did not represent what had been agreed to. “The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” Trump said on social media. “Very dishonorable people to deal with,” he said of the Iranians. However, shortly afterwards, Trump reposted Araqchi’s comments about how the memorandum to end the war had never been closer. A Western source, an Iranian source and a Gulf source said a key issue yet to be resolved was language on ceasing hostilities in Lebanon. Iran has demanded Israel end a campaign against Iran’s allies, the Hezbollah militia. Under the terms of the text described by other sources, the US would immediately begin providing Iran with billions of dollars in unfrozen assets, and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait. Discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme would be set aside for a 60-day period of talks on a final settlement, there would be a discussion of war reparations to Tehran, and the dropping of long-standing demands for curbs on Iran’s missile programme, the sources said. Washington has previously demanded Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. But none of the versions of the text reviewed by Reuters includes mention of it, and the sources said the demand had been explicitly excluded for now. But a senior US official, describing the agreement, said that the uranium stockpile “will be destroyed and removed” and Iran’s nuclear programme would be dismantled. “None of their money released until they perform. Strait of Hormuz will be open. No Iran funding of terrorist groups,” the official said. “This is what they have agreed to. This is a performance-based deal.” US Vice-President J.D. Vance said on social media: “First, the Iranians are not receiving any cash, and no funds are being released for simply signing a deal or attending a meeting.” The deal ensures economic benefits would only flow to Iran if it meets its obligations under the agreement, he said. A Western source said that if language can be agreed, the memorandum could be signed as soon as Sunday by Vance and Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, with Geneva for now seen as the likeliest venue. Despite jointly launching the war with the United States, Israel has so far been excluded from the negotiations, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not be party to the memorandum. Netanyahu has repeatedly clashed with Trump in recent weeks over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to let Washington reach a deal with Tehran. Israel’s defence minister said Israel would not withdraw from territory in Lebanon. A senior Israeli official said Israel expects any deal to maintain the Lebanon ceasefire in its current form, with Israel maintaining freedom to act against what it deems threats in areas under its control. Agence France-Presse, Reuters

Iran says peace deal with US ‘never been closer’, as Pakistan says final text agreed on

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Trump, meanwhile, slammed reports about the agreement that cited leaked terms appearing to favour Tehran

Trump, meanwhile, slammed reports about the agreement that cited leaked terms appearing to favour Tehran