US President Donald Trump has said a deal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East with Iran could be signed on Sunday, adding that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be “open to all” immediately after the agreement is concluded.
The statement came as diplomatic momentum appeared to build, with both Iran and international mediators signalling cautious optimism that weeks of stalled negotiations may be nearing completion.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator in the talks, said the agreement was closer “than ever before,” noting that “finalisation” could occur within 24 hours and would be signed electronically.
However, Iranian officials gave a more cautious timeline. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the signing date was not yet confirmed, though he did not rule out an agreement in the coming days.
Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, insisted the deal was scheduled for signing the following day, after which the Strait of Hormuz would immediately reopen to all maritime traffic. The waterway has remained a major flashpoint throughout the conflict, with Iran maintaining restrictions on shipping since the escalation began.
Despite renewed optimism, tensions in the region persisted. Reports indicated fresh incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has used as leverage during the conflict. The U.S. military’s Central Command said Iranian drones targeting commercial vessels were intercepted by American forces.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the emerging agreement would reshape control arrangements over the strategic waterway, which Tehran considers a key deterrent tool. Iran has maintained that it will retain oversight of the strait while allowing regulated passage of vessels.
Negotiations have also been deadlocked over Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump has repeatedly insisted that any deal must include the removal and destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, while Iran argues its nuclear programme is peaceful and insists enrichment is its sovereign right.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also indicated that any agreement should include provisions to eliminate Iran’s enriched nuclear material.
Meanwhile, public sentiment in Iran remains divided, with reports of protests in some cities expressing opposition to the terms being discussed.
Despite conflicting statements and lingering disputes over key issues, mediators say negotiations are at their most advanced stage yet, raising expectations that a formal agreement could soon be reached.
