On Saturday, Iran dashed hopes for a near-term peace agreement with the United States by denying that the so-called Islamabad memorandum would be signed on Sunday. This statement came despite previous announcements by Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and amplification by President Donald Trump.
The spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, took the stage to temper the optimism, as reported in El País's live coverage of the ongoing conflict.
Baghaei mentioned that while the possibility of an agreement being signed in the coming days could not be ruled out, it was crucial to proceed with caution when setting a definite date.
Furthermore, the Iranian spokesperson emphasized that the document primarily focuses on ceasing the war, and discussions on nuclear issues have been deferred for the time being.
Optimism from Pakistan and the U.S.
Earlier, Sharif had posted an optimistic message on social media, stating, "We are closer than ever to a peace agreement. With the likely completion anticipated within the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal, followed by technical discussions next week."
President Trump shared a screenshot of this message on his Truth Social platform without adding any personal comments, which was perceived as tacit support for Pakistan's perspective.
The Details of the Memorandum
The memorandum in question is a 14-point document that would initiate a 60-day negotiation period focusing on Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and other unresolved issues between the parties.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, also indicated that the agreement might be signed "in the coming days" either remotely or digitally. However, he refrained from committing to an exact date and stated that formal nuclear negotiations would not commence until the interim memorandum was signed and implemented.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran erupted on February 28 with a joint military operation that included attacks on Iranian nuclear and military sites. These initial bombings resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose funeral is set for July 4 in Tehran.
Negotiations have faced numerous setbacks. On June 1, Iran halted talks with the U.S. following Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which Tehran viewed as a breach of the ceasefire.
Current Tensions and Military Actions
Last Wednesday, President Trump canceled planned bombings on Iran and announced a "major high-level agreement," although Iran did not publicly confirm this, and the U.S. naval blockade on Iran remained in place.
As discussions about the signing date continued on Saturday, the U.S. military reported that Iran launched new drone attacks on commercial vessels attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 20 southern Lebanese localities and resumed bombings after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire.
The gap between the positions of both sides remains significant. During the first round of negotiations in Islamabad on April 12, the U.S. demanded the total dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and a 20-year moratorium, whereas Iran offered a five-year pause and sought $270 billion in compensation.
Key Questions About the Iran-U.S. Peace Negotiations
What is the Islamabad memorandum?
The Islamabad memorandum is a proposed 14-point document aimed at initiating a 60-day negotiation period on issues like Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
Why did Iran halt talks with the U.S. on June 1?
Iran paused negotiations with the U.S. due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which Tehran regarded as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
What are the main points of contention in the negotiations?
The primary disagreements include the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, with the U.S. demanding a 20-year moratorium and Iran proposing a five-year pause while seeking significant financial compensation.