In brief
Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that a ceasefire deal with the United States is "never been closer," a position echoed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who is mediating the talks. Trump has publicly backed the developments, while Iran’s claims about the deal’s contents have sparked dispute over sanctions relief, nuclear disarmament, and financial payouts. The proposed agreement would lift a US naval blockade, release significant Iranian assets, remove oil sanctions and seek UN Security Council endorsement, with the U.S. promising financial incentives for compliance. Amid continued intermittent military activity and regional pressures, U.S. officials estimate an 80‑85 % chance of a signed memorandum and stress performance‑based rewards for Iran’s cooperation.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that a ceasefire deal with the United States is "never been closer," a statement that was repeated by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating the talks between Tehran and Washington.
President Donald Trump has reposted Araghchi’s comment, urging the public not to speculate about the deal’s content. Trump also criticized Iranian media for leaking details that, according to Washington, "have nothing to do with the terms that were agreed to".
The bilateral talks, extended across April, have involved the lifting of a US naval blockade, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the removal of a significant amount of Iranian frozen assets. The agreement is said to require Iran to destroy nuclear material, dismantle its nuclear program and halt funding of proxy groups such as Hezbollah.
Iranians appear to be seeking at least $300 billion to compensate for damages caused by US and Israeli strikes, while the US expects the reversal of sanctions and a UN Security Council resolution to endorse the final text.
US and Iranian officials agree that the treaty will be rewards‑based: compliance with nuclear transparency and regional security commitments will unlock financial aid and other benefits. Islamabad says the political realignment is "very close" and warns against misinformation campaigns aimed at sabotaging the ceasefire.
Despite promises, officials emphasized that Iran would receive no immediate financial transfers after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, and that rewards would only come after proven compliance with the negotiated obligations.
Earlier this week a senior U.S. administration official estimated the odds of a signed deal at 80‑85 %, citing internal divisions within the Iranian government as a primary delay factor. The tension remains as sporadic military exchanges continue between U.S. forces and Iranian-backed forces in the region.
