US President Donald Trump said a deal to end fighting with Iran is scheduled for Sunday, though Tehran cast doubt on the timeline.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.”
He added that once calm is restored, Washington would “go in and get the Nuclear Dust,” a reference to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, which he said would later be destroyed.
Pakistan, mediating the talks, said the agreement was expected within 24 hours and preparations were under way for electronic signing, BBC reports.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei urged caution, saying, “We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow.”
Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, charges Tehran denies, insisting its programme is for electricity and research.
Trump warned that if the deal did not “work out quickly, easily and smoothly,” Washington had “the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again.”
On Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “We are closer to a peace deal than ever before.” He also said finalisation was likely within 24 hours with electronic signing to follow, and technical talks set for next week.
On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told state TV a deal with the US was close, envisaging an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports. He said nuclear talks would begin later.
US officials confirmed parts of the agreement, noting economic benefits for Iran would depend on compliance. Earlier US reports suggested Lebanon might not be included, though Iran has insisted it must be.
Variations of a deal have surfaced repeatedly in recent months but collapsed late in negotiations. The war began 28 February with US and Israeli strikes across Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and Gulf allies and close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route.
Despite an April ceasefire, intermittent clashes have continued, including tit‑for‑tat strikes this week.
