ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) and Iran are expected to sign an initial memorandum of understanding (MoU) before the Eid holiday that begins on May 27, a Pakistani official said on Sunday, signaling a possible breakthrough in long-stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end their conflict.
The United States and Iran could strike a deal to end the Middle East war as early as Sunday, Washington’s top diplomat said, while Tehran insisted the agreement would do nothing to limit its nuclear program.
Washington and Tehran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has imposed controls on Gulf shipping and the US has blockaded Iran’s ports.
A Pakistani official, who is privy to Pakistan’s ongoing mediation between the US and Iran, told Arab News the momentum for a US-Iran memorandum of understanding was steadily building.
“The initial MoU between the US and Iran is expected before Eid holidays while the next phase of comprehensive talks can take place after that,” he said, requesting anonymity.
The comments came hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan hoped to host a fresh round of talks between the US and Iran “very soon.” His comments followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington and Tehran were close to a peace agreement, following consultations involving regional leaders, including Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
In a post on X, Sharif thanked Trump for his “extraordinary efforts” to pursue peace and Munir for his “tireless efforts” for regional stability.
“Pakistan will continue its peace efforts with utmost sincerity and we hope to host the next round of talks very soon,” the Pakistani premier said.
This came after US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the deal “has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the various other Countries.”
Arab News reached out to PM Sharif’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi and the Pakistani foreign ministry for comments on the developments, but they did not respond.
“When the preparations begin, you will see,” the official said when asked about arrangements for the expected talks in Islamabad.
Part of Pakistani capital was locked down for days in April for historic first round of talks between the US and Iran, with stringent security measures in place for the visiting delegates. On Sunday, there were no signs of such arrangements in Islamabad.
The US-Iran conflict erupted in February after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered months of confrontation across the Middle East, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Although fighting formally paused under an April 8 ceasefire, negotiations have remained fragile amid disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and maritime access.
Trump wrote that the final aspects and details of the peace deal were being discussed and would be announced “shortly.” He said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen under the proposed agreement.
