PNN – The Financial Times reported that mediators are close to finalizing a deal between Iran and the United States to extend the ceasefire for 60 days. The Associated Press reported that the United States and Iran are close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war. The Washington Times also claimed that the United States and Iran are expected to finalize a peace deal by Sunday afternoon.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; The Financial Times claimed on Saturday evening that mediators were close to finalizing an agreement between the United States and Iran to “extend the ceasefire for 60 days.”
The Financial Times claimed: The proposed deal would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside talks on the dilution or transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. In return, Washington would ease its blockade of Iranian ports, offer sanctions relief and begin a phased release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.
This claim by the British media comes at a time when Ismail Baghaei, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and spokesman for the negotiating team, stated: The nuclear issue will not be discussed in detail at this stage. Our nuclear issue has been the pretext for two wars of aggression against the Iranian people, so we have responsibly and wisely decided at this stage to prioritize and focus on the issue that is urgent for all of us, which is ending the war.
Associated Press: US, Iran close to agreement on memorandum of understanding
The Associated Press reported Saturday night, citing “two regional officials and a diplomat,” that the United States and Iran were close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.
The Associated Press added that the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed hope that a final decision on the draft prepared by Pakistan would be made within 48 hours after it was reviewed by both sides.
They said Vice President J.D. Vance and the president’s envoys, Steve Whittkoff and Jared Kushner, played important roles in helping resolve remaining differences, and Qatar played a key role by sending a senior official to Tehran to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
Iran reported a “reduction in differences” in talks with the United States after further talks by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir in Tehran, according to the Associated Press.
Washington Times claims: Iran and US to announce peace deal within the next 24 hours
The Washington Times claimed that the United States and Iran are expected to announce a final peace deal to end the war on all fronts by Sunday afternoon.
The Washington Times added on Saturday local time that a draft agreement was agreed upon Saturday morning and is expected to be formally announced within the next 24 hours.
The Washington Times claimed that top negotiators, including Vice President J.D. Vance, White House special envoy Steve Whitaker, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, had approved the draft.
The American media claimed that if successful, the agreement would turn a fragile ceasefire that has lasted six weeks into a permanent peace; although Trump has indicated that new attacks are still possible.
The Washington Times continued: The details of the possible ceasefire agreement remain unclear. It is not clear how key differences, including the fate of Iran’s nuclear program and its demand for sanctions relief, will be resolved.
The American media added: The two sides must also agree on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the war began on February 28.
The Washington Times claimed: A draft of the agreement has been sent to the leaders of the two countries for final approval. The Pakistani army chief has traveled to Iran and held talks in an attempt to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for the transfer of goods and energy from the Middle East, has affected about 20 percent of the world’s oil and has thrown global energy markets into turmoil.
A Qatari delegation has also traveled to Tehran to conduct final diplomatic consultations to finalize the agreement.
The Washington Times, citing a source, said: General Asim Munir, the commander of the Pakistani army, who has been the main mediator in the negotiations, has held several meetings to prepare a final draft to send to the leaders of the two countries.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that US and Iranian negotiators were “very close” to finalizing a deal between the two countries.
Trump declined to provide further details about the deal in an interview with CBS, but said in a phone interview: It gets better and better every day. I can’t tell you before I tell them, right?
Despite Iran’s repeated assertions that it pursues a peaceful nuclear program, the US president has claimed that the final agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; otherwise “he wouldn’t even be talking about it.”
Iran also publicly announced on Saturday that the process of reaching a peace agreement was progressing and that remaining differences would be resolved in the next stages.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also suggested that a deal may be close. Meanwhile, Trump described the chances of the talks succeeding as “fifty-fifty” in an interview with the Axios website on Saturday. Trump also repeated his threats, claiming that if the talks fail, he will “totally destroy” Iran.
The US president also said he would meet with his top negotiators on Saturday and make a final decision by Sunday.
The US president has oscillated in recent days between supporting the peace deal and threatening new attacks. He told a rally in New York that the war would end “soon” and that oil prices would fall as the Iran deal was resolved.
The Washington Times continued: Reports indicate that the negotiations are proceeding on the basis of a 14-point document proposed by Iran, and this document has formed the main framework for the exchange of messages and discussions between the two sides.