THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

US-Iran agreement 'never been closer': FM Araghchi The United States and Iran have 'never been closer' to a deal on ending the war in the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday. 'The Islamabad Memorand...

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US moving forward with signing ceremony plans, but deal still needs ... Pakistan's prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a "final, agreed upon text." He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. "Peace has never been this close as it is now," Sharif said in a post on X. The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif's statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement "has never been closer" in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi's post on his own social media. None of the leaders gave details about the emerging agreement. The war launc…

Mediator Pakistan urges Iran and US to exercise restraint, uphold MoU ... Source: Google Gemini Mediator Pakistan urged the United States and Iran on Wednesday to exercise restraint and uphold the memorandum of understanding to halt the Middle East war after renewed fighting broke out. “Pakistan urges all sides to uphold their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” the foreign office said in a statement which also called on “all parties to exercise restraint.” Tags Iran USA Facebook X You may also like US Fed to release minutes of first rate meeting under new chair No US injuries or major damage from latest Iran attacks: US official US chip startup SambaNova scores billion-dollar funding round About the author View All Posts AFP Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a French international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency. Breaking Headlines Mediator Pakistan urges Iran and US to exercise restraint, uphold MoU commitments Eight Iran military personnel killed in US strikes: state media India urges restraint after fresh Iran-US strikes Trump says Ukraine can make Patriot missiles…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

An Iran peace deal is closer than ever as Pakistan says signing is near The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to push the region into a full-scale war. U.S. Central Command late Friday said in a social media post that it intercepted several Iranian attack drones that were targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. (Produced by Luke Garratt) Residents swim and play in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz while cargo ships and commercial vessels lie anchored in the distance off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.(Razieh Poudat/ISNA via AP) President Donald Trump is pictured during an event where he signs a proclamation about the fishing industry, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Vice President JD Vance, left, talks to Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir, right, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, center, before boarding Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 12, 2026. (…

US and Iran Confirm Historic Peace Deal; MOU Signing Set for June 19 in ... Key Highlights The United States and Iran have officially confirmed a peace agreement to end their ongoing military conflict. The formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, according to statements issued by both governments and the lead mediator, Pakistan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who led the mediation effort, announced the breakthrough on June 14 via X: “After extensive discussions, we are delighted to reveal that a Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been ACHIEVED. The formal signing event will take place on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.” US President Donald Trump confirmed the deal on Truth Social on June 14: “The arrangement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now finalized. I hereby fully authorize the toll-free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and simultaneously permit the immediate cessation of the United States Naval blockade.” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) confirmed in a statement carried by Mehr News Agency, Iran’s state-affiliated news agenc…

This audio is automated Learn more Share Share WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washington’s negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told RFE/RL that this sequencing h…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

The United States and Iran have agreed on ‌a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of war and are expected to sign the initial deal in the next 24 hours, Pakistani ‌Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says. Sharif, whose country has been mediating in the war, said Pakistan was preparing for an electronic signing that would be followed by technical-level ‌talks next week. "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, followed by technical level talks ‌next week," Sharif wrote on ‌X. "We are confident that ⁠this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace." Earlier, a senior US administration official said ‌both sides had agreed on a text. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger ‌from the conflict. "Iran is the winner of the war with the US," he said on state television. Hours after those remarks, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told R…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Iran's Big Remark on US Peace Deal: 'Never Been Closer' ] Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has indicated that the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is close to being finalized, while urging media organizations and commentators to refrain from speculating about its contents. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Araghchi said the agreement has "never been closer" to completion, signaling progress in ongoing negotiations surrounding the framework. Aragchi post on X. "The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer," Araghchi wrote. "Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content." Breaking It Down What contentious issues does the proposed MoU address? Why was the nuclear issue excluded from the negotiations? What role did Pakistan play in the negotiations? Created with AI. Errors are possible The senior Iranian diplomat emphasized that details of the agreement would be made public once the process is completed, stressing what he described as a commitment to transparency. "In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course," he a…

US-Iran war live updates: Final text of deal 'agreed' upon; another Indian crewed ship reportedly attacked US-Iran war live updates: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said the US and Iran have agreed on the wording of a deal intended to bring an end to their war. Meanwhile, there are reports of another alleged US attack on the Liaki Freedom, a vessel carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman.

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US-Iran peace deal inches closer, PM Shehbaz says finalisation expected within a day <p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the peace deal between Iran and the United States is expected to be finalised in the next 24 hours.</p> <p>A day prior, PM Shehbaz said that a “final, agreed-upon” text of the peace deal between Tehran and Washington had been <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2007361">reached</a>, adding that Islamabad was working “closely” with both sides to finalise the next steps of the process.</p> <p>“We are closer to a peace deal than ever before,” the premier said on X, adding that Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal, and technical-level talks would follow afterwards.</p> <p>“We would like to thank [the] 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,” he wrote.</p> <p>“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace.”</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-sr…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

The Six Key Things the US and Iran Agreed in Their Peace Deal — From ... Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The United States and Iran have secured a breakthrough outlining the six key things required to suspend their nearly four-month conflict. Spanning from verified nuclear dismantlement to restoring passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the agreement establishes a starkly different geopolitical landscape. President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly confirmed the terms of the deal over the weekend. Despite a severe military escalation threatening the framework at the eleventh hour, mediators preserved the tentative ceasefire . Why Pakistani Mediation Proved Crucial to Pausing the War Pakistan operated as the primary diplomatic conduit throughout the negotiation process. Prime Minister Sharif announced on X that both sides declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations across all active fronts. He confirmed the official signing ceremony will be held on 19 June in Switzerland. The delicate truce faced an immediate test following an Israeli military strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut . The operation exp…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

Preliminary peace deal could be signed within days, says US, Iran and mediators <p>Pakistani PM claims Islamabad preparing for electronic signing, while Trump and Tehran trade conflicting claims</p><p>Iran, the US and mediators suggested on Saturday that a preliminary peace deal could be signed within days to end the three-month war in the Middle East, though they gave differing timelines and versions of its text.</p><p>Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, said on Saturday that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing within 24 hours to be followed by technical-level talks next week.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/13/preliminary-peace-deal-could-be-signed-within-days-says-us-iran-and-mediators">Continue reading...</a>

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US-Iran deal could be sealed within 24 hours, mediator Pakistan says <p>The United States and Iran could finalise an agreement to end the Middle East war "within 24 hours", key mediator Pakistan said Saturday, after both sides expressed optimism about the chances of concluding a deal.</p><p>The foes and mediators of the conflict have claimed a long-awaited accord is in its final throes, despite new skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz in the months-long war that has roiled the region and global economy.</p>

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Pakistan announces final text for Iran-US peace deal International Desk (EFE).- Following days of uncertainty, contradictory reports, and even reciprocal attacks, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday an «agreed upon text of the peace deal» between Iran and the United States. US government sources had previously indicated the possibility of an imminent agreement, potentially to be signed in the coming days, while Iran, through its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, admitted that a memorandum of understanding to end the war was close. Expectations on an imminent agreement On Thursday, US president Donald Trump had announced his country settled a «great» peace deal with Iran. While the agreement awaits formalization, it could be signed this weekend in Europe, potentially at an event Trump himself may not attend. «We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,» Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. «We’re going to be subject to finalization of documents. We should get done over the next few days. Probably have a signing maybe in Europe.» The president noted that Vice President J.D. Vance will attend the signing during the weekend. Trump will be hos…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

What Iran's nuclear programme could look like under proposed Pakistan ... The United States and Iran are “closer than ever” to signing thePakistan-mediated “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”to end more than three months of war in West Asia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately confirmed that “a final, agreed-upon text of the peace deal has been reached” under what he called “intense mediation efforts by Pakistan.” Abbas Aragchi said nuclear talks with ‌the United States would only take place at a later ​stage and would not ​proceed unless a proposed interim ⁠deal was implemented. On the other hand, Trump said on Thursday he had reached a “great settlement” with Iran to end the war, but Tehran pushed back hours later, saying no final decision had been made. According to officials familiar with the talks, the proposed agreement would end the fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer. Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content. In line with our r…

PM Shehbaz says US, Iran have signed deal electronically; Iran to 'instantly' reopen Hormuz, US to 'immediately' lift blockade <p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said early on Thursday that the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) between the United States and Iran had been signed electronically by both sides.</p> <p>“The memorandum has been signed by honourable presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator. The signing of this agreement at the highest level of the respective governments demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” he said.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2067403784419254306'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/2067403784419254306"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>He added that the MoU shall “enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

US-Iran deal: Pak PM Shehbaz claims 'final, agreed upon text' reached ... US-Iran deal: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday claimed that a "final, agreed-upon text" of the peace deal between the United States and Iran had been reached, crediting "intense mediation efforts by Pakistan". Taking to X, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is now "working closely with both sides to finalize the next steps" to formalise a US-Iran deal to end the West Asia war. "Peace has never been this close as it is now", he added. Sharif alleged that an "incessant misinformation campaign" was being waged by "those who want to sabotage" the proposed peace deal. "Amid ongoing intense mediation efforts by Pakistan, we are fully aware of incessant misinformation campaign being waged by those who want to sabotage the peace deal. Setting aside the noise, we can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached," he wrote. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" was close to being formalised but pending finalization from the leaders of both countries. He also urged the media from speculating about t…

Is a U.S.-Iran Deal Within Reach? Six Key Issues That Could Shape a ... Share By experts and staff Updated June 15, 2026 5:08 p.m. Phil McCausland CFR News Editor Mariel Ferragamo CFR Writer and Editor Share The United States and Iran reached an agreement on June 14 to settle a three-and-a-half month-long conflict that has closed the Strait of Hormuz, sent shockwaves through global oil markets, and affected global growth projections. Neither country has shared the exact terms of the deal, but Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who served as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, said on Sunday that an agreement will be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. The initial pact—a memorandum of understanding (MOU)—will start with reopening the Strait of Hormuz , a choke point for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supply, unnamed Pakistani officials told the Associated Press . Both sides will then reportedly begin sixty days of negotiations about sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program. The administration has indicated that the memo will be released after a public signing ceremony in Geneva that will be attended by Vice President JD Vance, Middle East speci…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

US and Iran signalling a deal - nuclear restrictions, Strait access, sanctions relief on the table. Pakistan mediating. Meanwhile, drone interceptions continuing near Hormuz overnight. 15 sources cross-confirmed on factline.io #OSINT #Iran #Diplomacy

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

What we know about US-Iran talks on ending war and reopening Strait of ... TEL AVIV: The United States and Iran appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that a deal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is closer than “ever before” andexpected to be finalized within 24 hours.Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed immediately by technical-level talks next week. Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize. The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to push the region into a full-scale war. U.S. Central Command late Friday said in a social media post that it intercepted several Iranian attack drones that were targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the Middle East and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Here's what to know: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Frid…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Live updates: Pakistan says U.S.-Iran deal text has been reached LIVE COVERAGE Updated 22 minutes ago Live updates: Pakistan says U.S.-Iran deal text has been reached; Iran holding ‘final’ deliberations Two Iranian drones were shot down last night, a U.S. official said. Iranian media reported that its military had stopped a tanker from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Mediator of Iran talks says final text of peace deal reached, next steps being finalized 04:26 Save Add NBC News to Google Updated June 12, 2026, 8:36 PM EDT By NBC News What to know PAKISTAN SAYS DEAL IS CLOSE: Key mediator Pakistan has said a "final, agreed upon text" of a U.S.-Iran deal has been reached, though there was no immediate confirmation from the U.S. or Iran. President Donald Trump earlier pushed back at Iranian reports about the deal's contents. IRAN WEIGHS AGREEMENT: Iranian officials said the "final stages" of internal deliberations were underway, as sources tell NBC News the final missing piece is a sign-off from the country's Supreme Leader. DRONES SHOT DOWN: Tensions remained high around the Strait of Hormuz where two Iranian drones were shot down last night, a U.S. official said. Iranian med…

US x Iran permanent peace deal by...? - Polymarket Recent diplomatic signals point to advancing negotiations between the United States and Iran to conclude the 2026 conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes in February. Pakistan-mediated talks have produced reports of an agreed text for a memorandum of understanding or initial framework, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz, extending the April ceasefire, and sequencing issues such as sanctions relief and nuclear constraints into follow-on discussions. U.S. statements emphasize verification mechanisms and limits on enrichment, while Iranian officials describe progress as the closest yet but caution on timing and details. Remaining sticking points include asset releases, full navigation guarantees, and regional ceasefires involving Lebanon. A signing ceremony has been discussed for mid-June venues in Europe, though internal Iranian approvals and verification steps could extend timelines or alter terms. Experimental AI-generated summary referencing Polymarket data. This is not trading advice and plays no role in how this market resolves. · Updated Jun 14, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC Jun 13 2026 President Trump announces imminent sig…

No Iranian delegation has departed for Islamabad, state media says Ongoing diplomacy centered on Pakistan is yet to achieve a breakthrough. President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites. Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal. On Tuesday, Trump announced he was extending the ceasefire and continuing the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other." Iranian state television reported on Tuesday morning that no delegation had departed for Islamabad. Iranian officials, the broadcaster said on Telegram, maintain that they "do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats or broken promises" and that any continued participation in talks depends on a change in "the behavior and positions of the Americans." Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post to X on Tuesday that Iran "will Not negotiate under Threat and Force," as U.S. and Iranian representatives prepared to meet for a …

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

The United States and Iran have agreed on ‌a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of war and are expected to sign the initial deal in the next 24 hours, Pakistani ‌Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says. Sharif, whose country has been mediating in the war, said Pakistan was preparing for an electronic signing that would be followed by technical-level ‌talks next week. "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, followed by technical level talks ‌next week," Sharif wrote on ‌X. "We are confident that ⁠this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace." Earlier, a senior US administration official said ‌both sides had agreed on a text. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger ‌from the conflict. "Iran is the winner of the war with the US," he said on state television. Hours after those remarks, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told R…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

A fragile peace: US and Iran to sign Geneva MOU ending 100+ days of war Defence Papers Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Print The United States and Iran have reached a memorandum of understanding to halt more than 100 days of open hostilities, with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar arranging a formal signing in Geneva on Friday, June 19. Iranian officials said the agreement includes an immediate suspension of military operations on all fronts, explicitly citing Lebanon, while US leaders announced steps to lift maritime restrictions that have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the MOU calls for an immediate and permanent end to fighting and the complete removal of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs said further that final negotiations on a comprehensive settlement would be postponed until the United States fulfilled its commitments under the MOU, including the lifting of maritime restrictions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Iran’s state-linked reports said the draft MOU lists 14 points and that roughly half of frozen funds would need to be …

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Iran’s Araghchi says Islamabad MoU with US has ‘never been closer’ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that an “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” for addressing the US-Israeli war on Iran had “never been closer,” but urged media outlets to refrain from speculating about its contents until it was finalized.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Araqchi said Iran would share all details with the public in due course, in what he called Tehran’s responsible and transparent approach. Read more:Trump says Iran version of peace deal has ‘no relation to the truth’

One Day to Talks, But Iran Delegation's Presence Still a Mystery According to previous announcements, a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States is set to begin tomorrow morning, April 11, in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, conflicting reports continue to emerge regarding the arrival of the Iranian negotiating team. Last night, several media outlets reported that the Iranian delegation had already arrived in Islamabad to attend the talks with American representatives. It was previously suggested that the team would likely be headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by Abbas Araghchi. However, hours later, the Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, cited an “informed source” stating: “Reports from some media outlets regarding the entry of the Iranian negotiating team into Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks with the Americans are completely false.” Since that denial, domestic media in Iran have remained silent regarding the upcoming negotiations. After the Pakistani government declared a two-day public holiday for Thursday and Friday ahead of the summit, and following initial reports that talks might start on Friday, several Western media outl…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

🇮🇷🇺🇸 BREAKING! Iran's FM Araghchi confirms a 14-point memorandum of understanding is near finalization: "We set in motion a process that is now drawing close to its end. The result is a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding… it has not yet been signed, and until the very last

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Iran’s top diplomat says MoU with US ‘has never been closer’ The Iranian foreign minister says media should refrain from speculating about the contents of the proposed Islamabad MoU between Iran and the US which is closer than ever to being finalized.

US-Iran deal to be signed remotely if talks conclude, Araghchi says Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel is seeking to sabotage a pending memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, adding that the agreement includes a ceasefire in Lebanon as well. Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said the MOU with the United States has 14 articles but has not yet been signed. He said the first phase includes ending the war in Iran and Lebanon, as well as mutual commitments by Tehran and Washington not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs. Araghchi said nuclear issues had been moved to a second phase of negotiations lasting 60 days. “We will not forget Lebanon’s Hezbollah in any agreement,” he said, adding that the group fought alongside Iran in the war and that the Islamic Republic “will never leave Hezbollah alone.” He also said none of the circulating texts of the agreement were currently valid and that Iran did not confirm any of them. Iranian news outlet Tabnak released images it said showed a Boeing 737-7JZ BBJ, registered A6-RJF, flying over Tehran and allegedly carrying $3 billion in funds to Iran, after Reuters reported that the UA…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

Crucial Phase for The Middle East: US And Iran Agree Roadmap For Final ... The first round of high-level negotiations under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has concluded in Switzerland, with mediators Qatar and Pakistan announcing what they described as "encouraging progress" towards a comprehensive settlement between the United States and Iran. The talks, held at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, mark the first formal diplomatic engagement since Washington and Tehran agreed to a framework designed to end months of conflict and launch negotiations on long-term security arrangements. Representatives from Iran, the United States, Qatar and Pakistan participated in the summit, which focused on implementing provisions of the Iran Peace Deal and establishing mechanisms to prevent renewed escalation across the Middle East. According to a joint statement issued by Doha and Islamabad, discussions were conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere" and resulted in several agreements intended to guide negotiations over the next two months. Breaking It Down What are the main unresolved issues in US-Iran talks? How does the US plan to ensure co…

Pakistan Facilitates Digital Signing of US-Iran Peace Memorandum ISLAMABAD: Pakistan played a pivotal role in the midnight digital signing of a one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran on June 15, 2026, marking a significant step toward ending months of conflict. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance signed the document electronically via DocuSign, alongside Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. A senior Pakistani official of high stature served as witness to the legally binding agreement, sources confirmed. The virtual signing occurred just after midnight, paving the way for a formal in-person ceremony scheduled in Switzerland on June 19. Pakistani mediation proved instrumental in bridging differences that had stalled earlier efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the breakthrough, highlighting Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic engagement. The MoU focuses on immediate termination of military operations, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further talks on nuclear issues and sanctions relief. **Official Confirmation** Senior US officials verified the digital signatures and described the MoU a…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan's ... Pakistan's prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a "final, agreed upon text." He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. "Peace has never been this close as it is now," Sharif said in a post on X. The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif's statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement "has never been closer" in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi's post on his own social media. None of the leaders gave details about the emerging agreement. The war…

What to know about a possible deal to end the Iran war A woman walks past an anti-American mural on the wall of the former U.S. Embassy, now a museum, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran once again appear close to a deal to endthe warand open theStrait of Hormuz. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that adeal aimed at ending the warin the Middle East is closer than ever before and expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed by technical-level talks next week. U.S. President Donald Trumpsaid the deal was “scheduled to get signed tomorrow,” and that theStrait of Hormuzwould open immediately. But Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said no signing would occur Sunday and left the possibility open for the coming days. Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize. Iranexchanged firewith the U.S. and Israel earlier in the week, threatening to push the region back into a full-scale war. The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the region and virtually shut down oil and natu…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

US-Iran Peace Agreement 'Never So Close to Completion.' But Nuclear ... AI Podcast U.S.-Iran peace agreement talks are reportedly in their final stages, with Pakistani officials indicating a final text is agreed upon. U.S. media cite an 80-85% probability of signing, though full certainty is lacking due to Iran's internal complexities. While some reports suggest a Sunday signing in Geneva, others deny this. The proposed Memorandum of Understanding involves two phases: an initial stage focused on ending conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, followed by formal nuclear negotiations within 60 days. Key discussion points for the initial phase include the nuclear program, sanctions relief, and compensation. TradingKey - According to multiple sources, the U.S.-Iran peace agreement has entered its final sprint. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on social media platform X on Friday that both sides have agreed on a final peace agreement text, noting that "peace has never been closer than it is today." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated on the X platform that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding is "closer than ever to completion" and that the med…

Iran war:BREAKING! Iran's FM Araghchi confirms a 14-point memorandum of understanding is near finalization: "We set in motion a process that is now drawing close to its end. The result is a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

2h ago --- Tehran Times #BREAKING Qatar and Pakistan are active as mediators, and the diplomatic process is affected by US actions Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: 🔹️The status of the negotiations was clear to us from the beginning and most of the text was finalized, but ~ x.com/i/status/206...

What we know about the US-Iran memorandum of understanding The United States and Iran, ⁠as well as mediator Pakistan, ​have provided few details about the preliminary deal announced on Sunday to bring an end to the US-Iran hostilities that have engulfed the region and threatened global energy supplies. Mediators will continue meeting this week ahead of a signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland.

Iran-US Peace Deal: Pakistan's PM Claims 'Final, Agreed Upon Text' Has ... Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made one of the most definitive statements yet on the status of peace talks between the United States and Iran on Friday, claiming that a final agreed text of a deal had been reached and that his country was actively working with both sides to nail down the next steps. What Pakistan's PM Said Sharif posted his statement on X shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal had "never been closer." In his post, Sharif pushed back against what he described as a misinformation campaign by those looking to torpedo the agreement. Breaking It Down What are Iran's demands for lifting the naval blockade? How has Trump's stance on Iran's nuclear program evolved? What role does Pakistan play in the US-Iran negotiations? Created with AI. Errors are possible "Setting aside the noise, we can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached and Pakistan is now working closely with both sides to finalize the next steps," Sharif wrote. "Peace has never been this close as it is now." Araghchi, for his part, urged the media to hold off on spec…

Xinhua15 Jun 2026, 09:15 GMT+10 ISLAMABAD, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran on Sunday, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of their recent conflict, lowering the immediate risk of a wider regional war and opening a pathway toward a longer-term political settlement, analysts said. The agreement, reached after weeks of military escalation and intensive diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and other regional actors, commits Washington and Tehran to cease hostilities and begin negotiations on some of the most contentious issues dividing them, including Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future security framework of the Strait of Hormuz. The international community welcomed the agreement, with leaders of many countries issuing statements, urging continuous efforts towards lasting peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the deal, and hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts toward a final resolution of the conflict, his spokesperson said Sunday. Pakistan's former amba…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

A US-Iran deal to stop the war is imminent. Here's what we know about its contents so far <p>For a few hours on Saturday, it <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2007680/islamabad-mou-nears-finalisation-as-us-iran-clash-on-signing-date">appeared</a> that the long diplomatic effort led by Pakistan to end the US-Iran war was approaching its culmination.</p> <p>President Donald Trump spoke of signing an agreement on Sunday, while Pakistani and Qatari mediators echoed the same with high confidence.</p> <figure class='media w-full sm:w-full media--center media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2065839031179493512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2065839031179493512%7Ctwgr%5E0ad7496782dda4f6098ba9c525e94304870c516d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F2007602'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2065839031179493512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2065839031179493512%7Ctwgr%5E0ad7496782dda4f6098ba9c525e94304870c516d%7Ctwcon%5…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

BREAKING: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says a final agreed text has been reached for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement. Sharif said Pakistan is aware of “persistent misinformation” by those seeking to sabotage the deal, but confirmed… https://x.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2065470620456903058

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Iran-U.S. negotiators have agreed to broad principles of agreement ... Follow updates on the war in the Middle East for Monday, May 25 , here. See earlier developments below. What to know about the Iran war: A senior Trump administration official told CBS News that the U.S. and Iran are working toward a finalized agreement. The Iranians have in principle agreed to a deal that would include the disposal of highly enriched uranium, the official said, and there is a broad commitment on principles. President Trump said on TruthSocial that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, but that he had told representatives "not to rush into a deal" and "that time is on our side." After a call with Middle Eastern leaders on Saturday, Mr. Trump said a peace deal with Iran had been "largely negotiated" but that final details were still being discussed. Both he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that further details would be announced shortly. Mr. Trump also told CBS News earlier Saturday that negotiators were "getting a lot closer" to finalizing an agreement. Sources told CBS News that at the time that the latest proposal included a process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, th…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Xinhua15 Jun 2026, 09:15 GMT+10 ISLAMABAD, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran on Sunday, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of their recent conflict, lowering the immediate risk of a wider regional war and opening a pathway toward a longer-term political settlement, analysts said. The agreement, reached after weeks of military escalation and intensive diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and other regional actors, commits Washington and Tehran to cease hostilities and begin negotiations on some of the most contentious issues dividing them, including Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future security framework of the Strait of Hormuz. The international community welcomed the agreement, with leaders of many countries issuing statements, urging continuous efforts towards lasting peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the deal, and hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts toward a final resolution of the conflict, his spokesperson said Sunday. Pakistan's former amba…

Xinhua15 Jun 2026, 09:15 GMT+10 ISLAMABAD, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran on Sunday, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of their recent conflict, lowering the immediate risk of a wider regional war and opening a pathway toward a longer-term political settlement, analysts said. The agreement, reached after weeks of military escalation and intensive diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and other regional actors, commits Washington and Tehran to cease hostilities and begin negotiations on some of the most contentious issues dividing them, including Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future security framework of the Strait of Hormuz. The international community welcomed the agreement, with leaders of many countries issuing statements, urging continuous efforts towards lasting peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the deal, and hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts toward a final resolution of the conflict, his spokesperson said Sunday. Pakistan's former amba…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

Iran-US agreement: Sharif announces final peace text Share Facebook X LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki Pocket Skype Messenger Messenger WhatsApp Telegram Viber Line Share via Email Print Mehr News Agency , CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Conflict of Narratives Over Iran-US Agreement: Pakistan Decides, Iran Denies.. Warning of Disinformation The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Saturday that it does not confirm anything being circulated in the media regarding the details of the potential agreement with the United States, affirming that its negotiation method focuses on achieving results, monitoring the other party’s positions, and adopting its stances accordingly. In a series of urgent statements, the Iranian Foreign Ministry added that saying Tehran is very close to reaching an understanding with Washington is “not new,” stressing that it always takes its previous experiences with the United States into consideration. It clarified that reaching a final outcome on the agreement requires achieving a consensus among the decision-making authorities and relevant Iranian bodies. Pakistan Announces Reaching a Final Text for a Peace Agreement Between…

US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan’s prime minister says 3 hours ago DJ Beal , Associated Press , ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.v The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war. There was no immediate comment from U.S. or Iranian leaders on Sharif’s statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media. Non…

This audio is automated Learn more Share Share WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washington’s negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told RFE/RL that this sequencing h…

Xinhua17 Jun 2026, 03:45 GMT+10 TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final agreement will begin on Friday following the two sides' official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war, according to the official news agency IRNA. Araghchi made the remarks at a meeting with foreign diplomats in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the peace MoU that was finalized on Sunday between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation. "The new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States on reaching a final agreement will probably begin on Friday at the venue that will be decided," he said, explaining that owing to the difficulties in reaching an agreement between Iran and the United States that resulted from the U.S. and Israeli "criminal aggression" against the country, "we ultimately decided to divide the negotiations into two stages." He said the first stage pertained to the finalization of an MoU on issues such as the war's end, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, Iranian frozen assets and the reconstruction o…

'Islamabad MoU has never been closer,' Iranian FM says as deal with ... Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said Friday that a pending agreement between Iran and the United States is approaching completion, signaling what could become the most significant diplomatic breakthrough between the two countries since negotiations began following months of conflict and mediation efforts. "The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer," Aragchi wrote, referring to the proposed framework agreement that has been under discussion in recent months. While indicating that talks have made substantial progress, Aragchi urged media organizations and observers to avoid speculation about the contents of the document before it is formally finalized. "Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content," he added. Details to follow...

Pakistani mediators announced a finalized draft peace deal between the US and Iran on June 12, 2026, ending a war that began with US-Israeli strikes in February. The framework includes an indefinite Iranian nuclear ban, sanctions relief, and Strait of Hormuz provisions, but conflicting statements f…

Tentative memorandum of understanding between Iran, US not finalized yet — Tasnim "Iran has not yet informed the Pakistani mediator that the text has been finalized," the source said

The United States and Iran have agreed on ‌a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of war and are expected to sign the initial deal in the next 24 hours, Pakistani ‌Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says. Sharif, whose country has been mediating in the war, said Pakistan was preparing for an electronic signing that would be followed by technical-level ‌talks next week. "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, followed by technical level talks ‌next week," Sharif wrote on ‌X. "We are confident that ⁠this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace." Earlier, a senior US administration official said ‌both sides had agreed on a text. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger ‌from the conflict. "Iran is the winner of the war with the US," he said on state television. Hours after those remarks, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told R…

U.S.-Iran deal could be finalized in next '24 hours': Pakistan's PM - CNBC The U.S. and Iran are "closer to a peace deal than ever before," Pakistani Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharifsaid on Saturday. "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,"Sharif said in a post on X. Later in the day, U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpreposted Sharif's remarks on the president's Truth Social account without comment. While Sharif suggested the preliminary deal could be signed soon, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted by Iranian state media as saying that caution was needed regarding the timing. "We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow," state media reported. "The possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out. However, due to the hesitation of the other side, we must be cautious in making any comments about this process." A senior Trump administration official said Friday that the U.S. and Iran could sign a deal that …

U.S., Iran agree on roadmap for final deal and plan to end ... - CNBC The U.S. and Iran made progress during talks in Switzerland on Monday toward reaching a final deal within 60 days, including the agreement to establish a committee and a mechanism to end hostilities in Lebanon. "The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made, including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks," according to a joint statement by mediating parties Qatar and Pakistan. Building on a memorandum of understanding signed last week, the parties agreed to establish a "High Level Committee" that will provide political oversight of the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the committee and lead working groups on nuclear, sanctions, and dispute resolution, according to the joint statement. The parties also agreed to establish a "de-confliction" cell between the U.S., Iran and Lebanon, facilitated by the mediating countries, to ensure full termination of military hostilities in Lebanon. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as having delivered "major progress," saying Tehran had secure…

High-wire diplomacy delivered US-Iran deal but hardest stage lies ahead, sources say <p>By Saad Sayeed, Andrew Mills, Ariba Shahid and Olivia Le Poidevin</p><p>ISLAMABAD, June 18 (Reuters) - Pakistani mediators spent weeks juggling late-night calls and competing drafts before a Qatari push helped secure this week's preliminary U.S.-Iran deal, but turning it into a permanent agreement will prove harder, sources said.</p>

Iran says peace deal with US ‘never been closer’, as Pakistan says final text agreed on The US and Iran have “never been closer” to a deal on ending the war in the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, as mediator Pakistan said a final text had been agreed on. “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” Araghchi wrote on social media, referring to the Pakistani capital which hosted previous US-Iran talks. “Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content,” he added, after purported...

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran once again appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz . Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that a deal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is closer than ever before and expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed by technical-level talks next week. U.S. President Donald Trump said the deal was “scheduled to get signed tomorrow,” and that the Strait of Hormuz would open immediately. But Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said no signing would occur Sunday and left the possibility open for the coming days. Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize. Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel earlier in the week, threatening to push the region back into a full-scale war. The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the region and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Here’s what to know: A 60-day period would address Iran’s…

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

The United States and Iran have agreed on ‌a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of war and are expected to sign the initial deal in the next 24 hours, Pakistani ‌Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says. Sharif, whose country has been mediating in the war, said Pakistan was preparing for an electronic signing that would be followed by technical-level ‌talks next week. "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, followed by technical level talks ‌next week," Sharif wrote on ‌X. "We are confident that ⁠this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace." Earlier, a senior US administration official said ‌both sides had agreed on a text. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger ‌from the conflict. "Iran is the winner of the war with the US," he said on state television. Hours after those remarks, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told R…

US-Iran Peace Deal Nears: Trump Hails Breakthrough as Tehran Pushes ... Iran says US-Iran MoU to cover nuclear program, sanctions, Hormuz blockad Highlights We are closing this coverage for now. For the latest updates,click here. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that a draft deal with the United States included ending a naval blockade of Iranian ports and arrangements on managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz. "The naval blockade must be completely lifted. That is the first point mentioned in the agreement," Araghchi said in an interview with state television. "Iran has made a firm decision that the administration of Strait of Hormuz will no longer be the same as before," he noted, adding that discussions were ongoing with Oman on the matter. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Israel was looking to derail a potential deal with the United States currently being finalised. "I must frankly say that this agreement has enemies, the foremost of which is the Zionist regime, who are looking for pretexts to derail it," said Araghchi in an interview on state television. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told PressTV that the memo…

'Peace has never been this close': Sharif says US-Iran agree on draft ... The United States and Iran have agreed on the wording of a draft deal to end their war, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday, signalling movement towards a possible agreement within days.Sharif said both sides had reached a “final, agreed upon text” and that mediators were working to complete the process. Sharif described the moment as a breakthrough. “Peace has never been this close,” he wrote, as regional mediation efforts pushed the talks forward. Amid ongoing intense mediation efforts by Pakistan, we are fully aware of incessant misinformation campaign being waged by those who want to sabotage the peace deal. Setting aside the noise, we can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached and… The development follows days of strikes between Iran, the US and Israel, raising fears of wider conflict. US PresidentDonald Trumpsaid a deal was close and reposted a message by Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who said an agreement had “never been closer”. Iran’s Foreign Minister on State TV explaining the upcoming the Deal:"The situation in the Strait of Hor…

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

US-Iran deal could be finalised soon, mediator Pakistan says <p>The United States and Iran could finalise an agreement to end the Middle East war within as little as 24 hours, mediator Pakistan said Saturday, after both sides expressed optimism about the chances of concluding a deal.</p><p>The apparent momentum came in spite of new skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been at the centre of the months-long war that has roiled the region and the global economy.</p>

RFE13 Jun 2026, 06:01 GMT+10 WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. SEE ALSO: Pakistani PM Says Final Text Of US-Iran Peace Deal Has Been Reached If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washingtons negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute f…

Pakistan's foreign ministry says Iran-US memorandum to be signed ... Trump, in a Truth Social post, said the Deal is scheduled to get signed on Sunday, and "immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is open to all." He also said no money would change hands under the agreement, a claim that contrasts with Iranian statements that the release of blocked funds would be an integral part of any deal. Trump said that “at the appropriate time,” once conditions are calm, the United States would retrieve what he called “the Nuclear Dust” buried deep underground and downblend and destroy it, either in Iran or the United States. He also warned that if the process fails, Washington has “the ultimate alternative.” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that an electronic signing ceremony for the Iran-US memorandum of understanding is scheduled for Sunday. A senior US administration official told Reuters that Washington believes it has reached a “strong” deal with Iran. Yet Iran’s security and military establishment has not yet signed off on the agreement, in what The Wall Street Journal described as a potentially significant stumbling block. Mediators told the Journal on Frida…

Xinhua15 Jun 2026, 09:15 GMT+10 ISLAMABAD, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran on Sunday, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of their recent conflict, lowering the immediate risk of a wider regional war and opening a pathway toward a longer-term political settlement, analysts said. The agreement, reached after weeks of military escalation and intensive diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and other regional actors, commits Washington and Tehran to cease hostilities and begin negotiations on some of the most contentious issues dividing them, including Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future security framework of the Strait of Hormuz. The international community welcomed the agreement, with leaders of many countries issuing statements, urging continuous efforts towards lasting peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the deal, and hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts toward a final resolution of the conflict, his spokesperson said Sunday. Pakistan's former amba…

US and Iran are close to a deal to end their war, officials say US and Iran have agreed to wording of a deal to end their war, Pakistan's prime minister says By By MUNIR AHMED, MICHELLE L. PRICE and RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Friday, Jun 12, 2026 8:01 PM Residents swim and play in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz while cargo ships and commercial vessels lie anchored in the distance off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.(Razieh Poudat/ISNA via AP) × Residents swim and play in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz while cargo ships and commercial vessels lie anchored in the distance off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.(Razieh Poudat/ISNA via AP) ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X…

This audio is automated Learn more Share Share WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing a commitment from Tehran not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. If signed, the MoU would open a 60-day period of technical negotiations aimed at addressing broader issues. Analysts say the apparent progress reflects a shift in Washington’s negotiating strategy, with officials separating immediate security concerns from longer-term disputes. Azeem Ibrahim, director of special initiatives at the Washington-based New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told RFE/RL that this sequencing h…

Breaking 👇 "Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says US-Iran deal is now in place and mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week." Source: Al Jazeera Where is Israel in this deal? Do we trust that either the US or Iran will adhere to whatever is agreed? Track record is poor.

Now 96° Tue 104° Wed 101° byAHTRA ELNASHAR | The National News Desk WASHINGTON (TNND) —Washington and Tehran are on the brink of taking a significant step toward peace by signing a memorandum of understanding that will kick off 60 days of further negotiations.Fundamental disagreementsstill need to be sorted out before the Iran war officially concludes. Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. (TNND) Vice President JD Vance said he expected the text of the memorandum, which has already been signed digitally, would be released this week. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday in Geneva. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead the American delegation. “The agreement is fundamentally built around a two-step verification process," Vance said. “We say to the Iranians, ‘You are welcome to have access to an unsanctioned economy. You’re welcome to be invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement.'” Iranian Presi…

World leaders welcome Iran-US deal, back path to final agreement The reported draft has not been independently verified, and neither Iranian nor US officials have publicly confirmed its contents.It appears to match a version first published by Mehr News on Friday. According to Mehr, the draft begins with an immediate and permanent end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, alongside a US commitment not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs and to respect the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic. The report says Washington would commit to lifting the naval blockade within 30 days, withdrawing forces from around Iran and allowing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian arrangements during the same period. The draft also reportedly provides for the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day talks, with half the funds becoming available before negotiations begin. The publication comes as regional and international leaders welcomed news of the framework agreement. Qatar's prime minister, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials have publicly endorsed the breakthrough, while US President Donald Trump described…