Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A potential breakthrough in efforts to end the months-long war between the United States and Iran emerged on Friday after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that both sides had agreed on the wording of a peace deal and were now working toward finalizing the arrangement.
Sharif said mediators had secured what he described as a “final, agreed upon text” between Washington and Tehran, raising hopes that one of the Middle East’s most dangerous conflicts in recent years could soon come to an end.
“Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif wrote on X, signaling growing optimism among mediators involved in the negotiations.
The announcement comes after several days of renewed military exchanges involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which threatened to derail a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April and raised fears of a wider regional war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the optimistic tone, saying an agreement “has never been closer.” His remarks were later amplified by US President Donald Trump, who shared Araghchi’s comments on social media and has repeatedly suggested in recent weeks that a deal was within reach.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following coordinated US and Israeli military action against Iranian targets, has shaken the region, disrupted global energy markets and significantly reduced oil and natural gas shipments through the Persian Gulf. The fighting has fueled concerns over international energy supplies and contributed to volatility in fuel and commodity prices worldwide.
Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said negotiators were working toward an initial agreement that would formally declare an end to the conflict on multiple fronts, including tensions linked to Lebanon. He said more detailed discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program would take place during a 60-day implementation period following the signing of the initial accord.
According to Araghchi, the two sides could extend that period if additional time is required to resolve technical and political issues.
Iran’s nuclear activities remain one of the most sensitive points in the negotiations. Washington and Israel have long argued that Tehran’s nuclear program could eventually lead to the development of a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials continue to insist that their program is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.
A senior US administration official said the emerging framework would establish a process for eliminating or removing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, one of the central demands of Washington throughout the conflict. The official said the subsequent 60-day negotiation period would focus on determining how that process would be carried out and who would oversee the removal of the material.
Another major element of the negotiations involves the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors. The waterway has experienced severe disruptions during the conflict, affecting global oil and gas flows and contributing to higher energy costs around the world.
US officials said the proposed agreement includes provisions aimed at reopening the strait and restoring normal maritime traffic. Iran, however, has indicated it wants to maintain a system under which vessels pay transit fees for what it describes as security and logistical services. The United States and several Western countries have rejected such measures, arguing they violate international maritime law.
Trump further fueled speculation about an imminent breakthrough by stating that an agreement with Iran was “scheduled to get signed tomorrow,” suggesting the accord could pave the way for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a broader reduction in regional tensions.
Despite those comments, uncertainty remains over the timing of any formal signing. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pushed back against reports that an agreement would be finalized on Sunday, saying negotiations were still ongoing and that the framework had not yet been fully completed.
Pakistani officials have indicated that any initial agreement would likely be signed electronically before entering a new phase of negotiations focused on implementation and unresolved disputes.
Important differences also remain between public descriptions provided by Washington and Tehran. Officials from both countries have offered conflicting accounts regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear program, the handling of frozen Iranian assets and other key provisions expected to form part of a final settlement.
Even so, statements from negotiators on both sides suggest that the closest opportunity yet to end the conflict may be emerging, potentially opening the door to a broader diplomatic process aimed at stabilizing the Middle East after months of warfare and economic disruption.
