Tehran, Iran. US and Pakistani leaders said a framework agreement aimed at ending months of conflict between the United States and Iran could be signed on Sunday. Iranian officials, however, said a final decision had not yet been made and hardline factions expressed opposition.
Leaders cite possible Sunday signing
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the agreement was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, which coincides with his 80th birthday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said preparations were under way for an electronic signing ceremony, to be followed by technical discussions during the coming week.
Tehran says review is continuing
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that an agreement would “not be tomorrow” but could be reached “in the coming days”. Iranian news agency Fars later reported that Tehran had not yet made a final decision, with political, legal and technical aspects of the proposal still under review.
A source familiar with the talks told Reuters that Qatari negotiators travelled to Tehran on Sunday in an effort to help finalise the agreement.
Shipping and nuclear talks linked to framework
Trump said that once a framework agreement is signed, the Strait of Hormuz would immediately reopen to international shipping. Sources involved in the negotiations said the United States would then lift its naval blockade, while discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme would take place in a subsequent phase.
Conflict and regional military activity continue
The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli military action against Iran and has severely damaged Iran’s military infrastructure. Analysts have said the fighting has also strengthened the position of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps within Iran’s political system.
Despite progress in negotiations, military tensions have continued. The US military said it intercepted multiple Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Israel announced separate strikes against more than 70 Hezbollah-linked sites in Lebanon over a 24-hour period.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly disagreed with Trump over calls for Israel to limit military operations in Lebanon while diplomatic efforts with Tehran continue.
Iranian reaction to draft agreement
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the draft agreement demonstrated that Iran had emerged stronger from the conflict, while acknowledging that changes to the text remained possible.
At rallies across Iran on Saturday night, hardline protesters criticised the proposed agreement. Demonstrators in Mashhad were reported to have chanted “Death to the compromiser” and “Compromiser, resign, resign”, apparently targeting Araqchi.