US, Iran Signal Progress In Peace Talks As Deal Nears

Speaking on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a memorandum of understanding with the United States was“closer than ever” but cautioned against drawing conclusions before the negotiations are officially completed. He stressed that any assessment of the outcome remains speculative until a final document is approved by both governments.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled optimism about the talks, saying negotiations were moving forward. Trump has previously claimed that the conflict with Iran had effectively ended and that a major agreement was close, while also dismissing leaked reports about the contents of the proposed deal as inaccurate.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government has played a key mediating role, said a final peace text had been agreed upon by negotiators. However, he noted that procedural and political steps still need to be completed before the agreement can enter into force.

The negotiations come after weeks of military confrontation involving U.S. and Iranian forces, raising fears of a broader regional conflict and disrupting energy markets across the Middle East. Diplomatic efforts have since focused on securing a ceasefire, reopening regional trade routes and addressing long-standing disputes over Iran's nuclear programme.

A major point of discussion has been sanctions relief and the release of Iranian assets held abroad. Reuters recently reported that the United Arab Emirates had agreed to release up to $10 billion in funds to Iran, with more than $3 billion already transferred, according to sources familiar with the arrangement. The reported move was linked to efforts to reduce regional tensions and halt attacks targeting the Gulf state.

Another key objective of the talks has been the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. The waterway handles a significant share of global oil shipments, and disruptions during the conflict triggered concerns over international energy supplies and shipping security.

Despite the positive signals, significant uncertainty remains. Iranian officials have not confirmed the existence of a final agreement, while U.S. officials continue to caution that negotiations could still face obstacles before a formal signing takes place.

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