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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated Saturday that the United States and Iran are "closer to a peace deal than ever before," with finalization "likely expected in the next 24 hours."
He noted that Pakistan is already preparing to sign the agreement electronically upon its conclusion, followed by technical-level talks the following week.
In a post on X, Sharif said Pakistan was preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement immediately after its completion, 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.
He thanked both the United States and Iran for “their ongoing commitment during the negotiations” and expressed appreciation to regional partners for supporting the process.
“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace,” he added.
The agreement, mediated jointly by Pakistan and Qatar, is expected to be known as the Islamabad Agreement.
The latest comments come after weeks of negotiations following an April 8 truce that have repeatedly stalled despite optimistic statements from US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote Friday that “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” but cautioned that no final understanding had yet been reached on all issues.
Trump, meanwhile, insisted Friday that reports suggesting the proposed agreement favored Iran were inaccurate.
“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Araghchi said any agreement would likely be signed remotely and maintained that Iran's enriched uranium should be dealt with only through dilution inside the country.
Despite progress in negotiations, tensions persisted in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that it had shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones that were allegedly targeting commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
According to CENTCOM, “US forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded.”
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Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war, while the United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to limit the country's energy exports.
Although officials on both sides have expressed optimism, key issues, including Iran's uranium enrichment activities and the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz, remain unresolved.
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