Trump And Pakistan Say Iran Deal Could Be Signed Sunday But Tehran Signals More Time Is Needed

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Key mediator Pakistan said Saturday: an agreement finish Iran war was closer than ever and US President Donald Trump While claiming that the deal “will be signed tomorrow”, Iran made some of its most optimistic statements yet but stated that some more time is needed.

Trump said this Strait of Hormuz It will open immediately after signing.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the agreement is expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Both parties were expected to sign electronically. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the signing ceremony was planned for Sunday but did not provide details.

In statements carried by state media, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that the signing “will not take place tomorrow” but that “there is a high probability that the memorandum of understanding will be finalized in the coming days.”

A tenuous ceasefire has been in effect since April 7. Trump has suggested multiple times in recent weeks that the countries are on the brink of a deal.

Iran has long expressed its cautious attitude towards the negotiations, noting that previous talks with the United States last year and at the beginning of this year resulted in attacks by the United States and Israel.

Trump was expected to discuss demining the Strait of Hormuz at the Group of Seven summit, which starts on Monday.

A senior US official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity in accordance with rules set by the White House, said Trump was planning to meet G7 on the sidelines to discuss efforts to end the war with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

G7 members Britain and France have expressed interest in helping clear mines once the fighting has stopped.

It was not clear how many There are mines in the Bosphorus Shortly after the start of the war, Iran effectively controlled oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf, almost completely halting them. In response, the United States blockaded Iranian ports.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said the memorandum of understanding being discussed focused on ending the war and “it was decided not to discuss the nuclear issue at this stage.”

Iran’s nuclear program and highly enriched uranium have long been at the center of tensions with the United States and Israel and a source of international concern.

Trump suggested on social media that “when everything calms down” the US will “fragment and destroy” enriched uranium in Iran or in the US.

The obvious breakthrough in negotiations came after Iran mutual fire Earlier in the week, they threatened to break the ceasefire with the US and Israel and push the Middle East back into all-out war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that a deal on X has “never been this close.” Trump on Thursday claimed to have made significant progress in negotiations hours after threatening to take over Iran’s oil industry.

Iranian state television reported that funeral ceremonies were held for the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiKilled in the opening attack of the war, the attack will take place in July.

Funeral, burial and farewell events for Khamenei will take place between July 4 and 9 during Muharram, the traditional mourning period in the Shiite Muslim calendar.

replace Khamenei his son Müjtaba, Who is considered less conciliatory and has not been publicly identified since the start of the war.

The funeral ceremonies are expected to begin in Tehran and move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, and then to Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace. He will be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine, considered the holiest place among Shiite devotees.

After the Ayatollah’s death in 1989, Khamenei reshaped the Islamic Republic Ruhollah KhomeiniFiery, charismatic ideologue who led the overthrow of the Shah and rule by Shiite Muslim clerics.

Khamenei ruled much longer than Khomeini. He greatly expanded the Shia clergy and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard It became the most important organ supporting its sovereignty. The Guard has become a military and commercial giant, the country’s most elite force and the head of its ballistic missile arsenal; It was a key target for Israel and the United States in the war.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed.