US-Iran accord nears finish line as PM sees deal within 24 hours as Tehran urges caution

• Premier Shehbaz says Pakistan preparing for ‘electronic signing’ of landmark deal day after he said ‘final text’ agreed

• Iran says no plans to send negotiators to Islamabad or Geneva in a day or two

• Tehran rules out Sunday signing but says agreement remains likely

• Trump claims all key stakeholders have approved final points

• Qatar hails PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir for diplomatic role

• Islamabad remains confident accord will pave way for lasting regional peace

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the proposed “peace deal” between Iran and the United States was expected to be finalised within the next 24 hours, a day after he announced that a “final, agreed-upon” text of the agreement had been reached between Tehran and Washington, even as Iran's foreign ministry said there were currently no plans for its negotiating team to travel to Geneva or Islamabad in the coming days to sign the accord, Al Jazeera reported.

On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz said a “final, agreed-upon” text of the peace deal had been reached, adding that Islamabad was working “closely” with both sides to finalise the remaining procedural steps.

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.

We would like to thank United States of…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 13, 2026

“We are closer to a peace deal than ever before,” the premier wrote on X, adding that Pakistan was preparing for the “electronic signing” of the agreement, to be followed by “technical-level talks”.

“We would like to thank [the] United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment during the negotiations, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support,” he said.

“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace,” he added.

 ‘No plans for signing in next two days’

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran currently had no plans to send its negotiating team to Geneva or Islamabad in the next day or two to sign an agreement, Al Jazeera reported.

Baghaei nevertheless indicated that the possibility of the memorandum of understanding being signed in the coming days remained high, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.

“We must wait for the exact time of the signing,” he said.

Separately, Reuters, citing Iranian state media, reported Baghaei as saying that the signing of the so-called Islamabad memorandum would not take place on Sunday.

He added that while the possibility of signing the memorandum in the coming days could not be ruled out, caution was required regarding any discussion of a signing date because of hesitation on the part of the other side.

Araghchi urges restraint in speculation

Yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had made similar remarks a day earlier, describing the prospective agreement as the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”.

“The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” Araghchi wrote on X, urging media outlets to refrain from speculation until the agreement was formally finalised.

The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer. Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content.

In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.…

— Commentary Syed Abbas Araghchi (@Araghchhi) June 12, 2026

“In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.”

The latest developments came after a sharp escalation earlier this week. On Wednesday night, Washington and Tehran exchanged strikes after an American Apache attack helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears that hostilities had resumed.

The two countries traded attacks again on Thursday, with US President Donald Trump warning that he had planned “bigger” bombing raids.

However, Trump later said he had cancelled the strikes following discussions with Iran's top leadership.

“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkiye, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The conflict began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and continued through weeks of exchanges before a ceasefire was reached in April, with Pakistan playing a mediatory role. A round of negotiations was subsequently held in Islamabad, but no agreement emerged after 21 hours of talks.

Qatar lauds Pakistan's role

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call on Saturday from Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who paid tribute to the premier and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their instrumental role in advancing diplomatic efforts, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

ISLAMABAD: 13 June 2026.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif receives telephone call from the Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Qatar.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani,… pic.twitter.com/prSoYvCYGO

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 13, 2026

“The prime minister expressed his deep appreciation for Qatar's strong and steadfast support for Pakistan's peace efforts throughout the Gulf crisis and stated that a peace deal was ready for signatures by the relevant parties very shortly,” the PMO said.

Sheikh Mohammed assured Prime Minister Shehbaz that Qatar was proud to support Pakistan's peace initiative and expressed hope that the agreement would help bring lasting peace to the region.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days.