The eyes of the world are waiting to see whether Donald Trump will make good on his vow to sign a US-Iran peace deal today.
The US President said yesterday that an agreement to end the Middle East conflict will be signed on Sunday, but Tehran has cast doubt on his timeline.
Trump said the framework would immediately open the vital Strait of Hormuz ‘to all’ and would be a ‘wall’ against the Islamic Regime acquiring nuclear weapons.
Pakistan, a key mediator, also said on Saturday they were expecting an ‘electronic signing’ of a deal within 24 hours, coinciding with Trump’s 80th birthday.
Iran has undermined optimism for a Sunday peace agreement, with their foreign ministry saying an end to the conflict was more likely ‘in the coming days’.
Iran’s Fars news agency also said that Tehran had not yet taken a final decision on the framework agreement.
The news site said officials were still reviewing the political, legal, and technical dimensions of the proposals.
However, in a sign that momentum is growing towards a deal, Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran on Sunday morning to try to finalise the process.
Trump wrote on Truth Social yesterday that ‘The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.’
Referencing Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, the US leader said his agreement would be a ‘A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON!’
He continued: ‘In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement.’
His post added: We look forward to working with Iran, and the entire Middle East, long into the future. Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly.’
The US President’s optimism was joined by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who said the world was ‘closer to a peace deal than ever before’.
Shehbaz Sharif said on X: ‘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.
‘We would like to thank United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment during the negotiations, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support. We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace.’
The conflict between the US and Iran broke out on February 28 after Ameridcan and Israeli strikes assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Kahmenei and heavily degraded Iran’s military capabilities.
Both sides have continued to clash in recent days despite agreeing a ceasefire in April.
Early on Saturday, U.S. forces shot down multiple Iranian drones heading toward the strait, the U.S. military said.
The US has continued to blockade Iran, in an attempt to loosen Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, which was the pathway for 20 per cent of the world’s oil shipments prior to the war.
Israel is not part of the US-Iran deal and has vowed to continue attacking Hezbollah after the military group targeted northern Israel.
The IDF issued evacuation orders for 29 villages in southern Lebanon on Sunday after two suspected drones hit a military zone in Israel.
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