US, Iran may sign agreement within 24 hours, Pakistan PM says
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The parties have moved closer to finalizing a peace agreement, with Pakistan preparing to sign it electronically within the next 24 hours, according to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The prime minister said the parties are in the final stage of coordinating the document, and the signing is expected to occur remotely.
"We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after," Sharif wrote.
He says the parties will hold technical-level talks next week.
Sharif thanked the United States and Iran for their "ongoing commitment during the negotiations," as well as "brothers in the region" for supporting mediation efforts.
"We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace," the Pakistani prime minister concluded.
Earlier, the media reported that the United States and Iran had agreed on the text of a preliminary agreement.
The document outlines extending the ceasefire regime for 60 days, easing sanctions against Tehran, diluting Iranian highly enriched uranium under the supervision of UN inspectors, and restoring pre-war shipping volumes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since spring, Pakistan has served as the primary mediator in the dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Through Islamabad, Iran conveyed its proposals to the United States to end the war, including a six-point plan: lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets, ending the maritime blockade, withdrawing US forces from areas near Iran's border, and payment of compensation.
