Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday, June 13, that the United States and Iran have reached agreement on a framework for a peace deal following more than three months of conflict. Sharif indicated that an initial signing could occur within the next 24 hours, while Pakistan — which has served as a third-party mediator for the talks — is preparing for an electronic signing followed by technical-level talks the following 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 announced in an X post. “We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace.”
Earlier on Friday, Sharif had confirmed that a “final, agreed upon text” of the peace deal had been reached, with mediators working on next steps. He added that “peace has never been this close as it is now.”
Sharif’s statement builds on a number of positive indicators given by both Iran and the United States on the framework of a lasting peace agreement. The two sides appeared to be on the verge of a resumption of conflict a week earlier, when exchanges of fire occurred on both sides and President Trump vowed further escalation.
The tentative ceasefire — which has largely held since mid-April outside occasional flare-ups of violence — appeared to have ended before President Trump indicated that planned attacks had been called off, citing advanced negotiations with the Iranian regime.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed positive views on Friday and claimed that Iran had emerged victorious in the conflict. “Iran is the winner of the war with the U.S,” he said during an appearance on state television.
President Trump has thoroughly denied the Iranian regime’s framing, stating that “leaked” aspects of the the deal are patently false.
Araqchi also noted on social media that “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” while cautioning against speculation on details pending finalization.
U.S. officials similarly signaled progress. A senior U.S. administration official indicated on Friday that both sides had agreed on a text, with an initial deal expected in coming days. The official described the agreement as meeting core U.S. objectives and placing negotiations “in a very, very good place.”
Unconfirmed reports on the deal describe the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) as focusing on immediate steps to de-escalate the conflict, with longer-term issues addressed later. Key elements include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In exchange, the U.S. would begin releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, which has long been cited by President Trump as the reason for the conflict, are slated for a subsequent 60-day period. U.S. accounts indicate the agreement aims toward dismantling aspects of Iran’s nuclear program, including destruction or removal of highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
