US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a peace agreement with Iran would be signed on Sunday, claiming the deal would pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and help bring an end to months of conflict that have destabilised the region and disrupted global energy markets.
Trump said the proposed agreement would guarantee that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, describing it as creating a "wall to no nuclear weapons." According to him, Iran no longer wishes to possess nuclear weapons and would neither develop, purchase nor acquire them through any means. He added that improved relations between Washington and Tehran had made such an agreement possible and expressed hope that cooperation between Iran, the United States,s and the wider Middle East would continue in the future.
The US president contrasted the proposed arrangement with the 2015 nuclear agreement reached during the administration of Barack Obama. Trump claimed that, unlike previous policies, the new deal would not involve financial transfers to Tehran. He referred to the transfer of $1.7 billion in cash that occurred during the Obama era, although that payment was related to the settlement of a pre-1979 military contract dispute rather than being a direct component of the nuclear agreement itself.
Trump also suggested that the United States retained the capability to address Iran's nuclear infrastructure if necessary, including deeply buried facilities. While emphasising his preference for a negotiated settlement, he warned that stronger alternatives remained available should diplomacy fail, though he did not provide specific details.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly supported Trump's optimism, stating that the two sides appeared closer than ever to a peace agreement. Sharif said finalisation could occur within twenty-four hours and indicated that technical discussions would follow. He praised both countries for maintaining engagement and expressed hope that the agreement would contribute to long-term regional stability.
Iran, however, quickly disputed Trump's timeline. Senior officials in Tehran stated that no agreement was expected to be signed on Sunday and that no formal schedule had been established. Their response highlighted continuing differences between the two sides despite ongoing negotiations.
Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence that an agreement is near. Earlier this month, he said that a settlement had essentially been reached and that only final documentation remained. His optimism grew further after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked that the two countries had never been closer to a deal. Trump later amplified those comments and reportedly suspended plans for military action against Iran.
According to reports, the proposed memorandum of understanding includes several major provisions. The United States would ease sanctions, allow limited Iranian oil exports, and potentially provide access to frozen Iranian assets under specific compliance conditions. Iran, in turn, would commit not to pursue nuclear weapons and would enter negotiations regarding uranium enrichment and the management of existing enriched uranium stockpiles.
The framework also reportedly includes a sixty-day ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual consent to allow further negotiations. Another key component is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, with Iran guaranteeing safe passage for commercial shipping and a return to normal maritime activity.
The current conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign targeting Iran's leadership, military infrastructure,e and nuclear facilities. The operation reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered a wider regional crisis that disrupted energy supplies and closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Although a ceasefire was later reached and negotiations commenced, significant disagreements have remained over sanctions, maritime restrictions, ns and broader security issues. With Iran disputing Trump's claim that a deal is imminent, uncertainty continues over whether a final agreement can be achieved in the immediate future.
