Pakistan says ‘final, agreed upon’ text of Iran war ceasefire deal reached

What Happened

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that a 'final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached' between the US and Iran, stating Pakistan is working with both sides to finalize next steps. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal had 'never been closer' and cautioned media against speculation on its contents, a statement reposted by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social. US Vice President JD Vance denied any immediate release of frozen Iranian assets, insisting the deal would be performance-based: Iran must dismantle its nuclear programme, destroy enriched uranium, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and cease support for regional proxies before economic benefits flow. The diplomatic flurry follows two days of US-Iran strikes this week, with Trump having earlier threatened to seize Iran’s Kharg Island before calling off a third wave of attacks in anticipation of an agreement. Al Jazeera reported from Tehran that the draft memorandum of understanding is expected to freeze the battlefield but will require approval from the IRGC, parliament, and Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

A US-Iran ceasefire would reshape Middle Eastern security dynamics, potentially ending the cycle of direct strikes and easing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint. The deal’s reported conditions—dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and curbing proxy support—address core US and Israeli concerns, but require buy-in from Iran’s Supreme Leader and IRGC, making implementation uncertain. Economic benefits flowing to Iran could stabilise its economy and alter regional power balances, while a failure could escalate into broader conflict.

Watch For

Iran’s internal approval process: the IRGC, parliament, and Supreme Leader Khamenei must endorse the memorandum of understanding. Formal signing or public release of terms will clarify whether the deal aligns with US demands on the nuclear programme and Strait of Hormuz, or if IRNA’s reported terms (no new concessions, asset unfreezing) reflect Iranian positions. Further US-Iran strikes or threats could disrupt talks, while multilateral diplomatic steps—Pakistan’s mediation, Oman’s backchannel, and statements from the E3—may signal the next phase.