Iran says US peace deal will not be signed on Sunday, contradicting Pakistan's claim

Iran has downplayed expectations of an imminent signing of a proposed peace agreement with the United States, contradicting claims by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that a deal could be finalised within 24 hours.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposed Islamabad memorandum would not be formally signed on Sunday, according to Iranian state media.

While Baghaei did not rule out the possibility of an agreement being signed in the coming days, he urged caution about predicting a timeline, citing what he described as the "hesitation of the other side".

The remarks came a day after Sharif said negotiations were nearing a breakthrough.

"We are closer to a peace deal than ever before," the Pakistani Prime Minister wrote on X. He added that finalisation was likely within 24 hours and that Pakistan was preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed by technical-level discussions next week.

Sharif also thanked the United States, Iran, and regional partners for their role in the negotiations, expressing confidence that the agreement could lay the foundation for lasting peace.

Pakistan has emerged as a key facilitator in discussions between Washington and Tehran, with Islamabad proposed as the venue for the memorandum.

If concluded, the agreement would represent the first formal framework aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran after months of military escalation in the region.

According to Iranian state media reports, Tehran intends to maintain full control over the Strait of Hormuz and continues to insist on its sovereign right to enrich uranium, among other core positions.

Baghaei's comments suggest that differences remain despite indications of progress in the talks.