Iran-Us Deal — Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Iran and the United States accelerated sharply on Friday, with senior officials on both sides signalling that a formal agreement was within reach — even as military tensions flared in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that a memorandum of understanding with Washington had "never been closer," remarks that President Donald Trump subsequently reposted on social media. The endorsement was notable given that Trump had earlier dismissed circulating details of the proposed deal as "fake news" and accused Tehran of leaking "inaccurate" information about the negotiations. He described Iran as "very dishonourable" and urged its leadership to "get their act together" quickly.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government has played a key mediating role in the talks, confirmed that a "final, agreed-upon text" had been drawn up — the clearest public signal yet that negotiations had moved beyond preliminary stages. US Vice President JD Vance also acknowledged that progress was being made, with American officials indicating that Iran could receive significant incentives if it meets agreed benchmarks.
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Araghchi, however, acknowledged that disagreements persist within Iran’s own leadership over the proposed memorandum, underscoring the fragility of the diplomatic process. The internal divisions reflect the high stakes attached to any agreement, which would represent a fundamental shift in relations between Washington and Tehran after more than a century of accumulated hostility.
The first phase of the proposed deal, as outlined by officials familiar with the framework, would include a ceasefire across all active fronts — including Lebanon — the lifting of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and a mechanism to unfreeze Iranian assets held abroad. Iranian state media, citing senior official Mohsen Rezaei, reported that Trump had agreed to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of the arrangement. Trump has not publicly confirmed that figure, and his sharp criticism of Tehran’s alleged leaks suggests the two sides remain at odds over how details of the negotiations should be characterised.
The diplomatic activity unfolded against a backdrop of live military confrontation. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces shot down multiple Iranian attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz, which the military said were targeting commercial vessels transiting the strategically vital waterway. Despite the interception, maritime traffic through the strait remained uninterrupted — a detail that will be closely watched by global energy markets, given that roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the chokepoint.
On the ground in Lebanon, Israel renewed strikes on towns in the Tyre and Nabatieh districts, issuing what it described as a "wide-ranging forced displacement order" affecting more than 20 communities across the Nabatieh and Jezzine areas. The continued military activity complicates any ceasefire framework, given Lebanon’s centrality to Iran’s regional posture.
Iran-Us Deal: Regional Implications
Former US diplomat Henry Ensher offered context on that dynamic, noting that Iran has long viewed Lebanon as an "instrument" of its foreign policy. He cautioned that any Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, should a deal materialise, would be "a process" rather than an immediate development — a warning that even a signed agreement would face substantial implementation challenges.
The talks mark day 106 of the broader conflict, a milestone that lends urgency to the diplomatic push. Both sides appear to recognise that a prolonged stalemate carries mounting costs — economic, military, and political. The release of frozen assets, a ceasefire framework, and the normalisation of Hormuz shipping lanes represent tangible incentives for Tehran, while Washington would gain a de-escalation of regional hostilities that have repeatedly threatened to draw in broader international actors.
Whether the internal divisions within Iran’s leadership, combined with Trump’s public frustration over alleged leaks, will derail the final stages of negotiation remains the central uncertainty. For now, the signals from Islamabad, Tehran, and Washington point — cautiously — toward a breakthrough.
