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Iran says the memorandum could be signed in the coming days, but rules out Sunday as talks continue over key sticking points.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the agreement will not be signed on Sunday. (Image: Reuters)
The possibility of the United States and Iran signing the much-discussed Islamabad Memorandum in the coming days cannot be ruled out, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday, while clarifying that the agreement will not be signed on Sunday.
According to Iranian state media, Baghaei said there was still no definitive timeline for the signing of the memorandum and urged caution regarding reports predicting an imminent breakthrough. He noted that while a deal remains possible in the near future, the exact timing of the signing has not yet been finalized.
The latest comments come amid growing expectations that Washington and Tehran are inching closer to a framework agreement aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire that has held since April and creating a roadmap for broader negotiations on key disputes, including sanctions, maritime security and Iran’s nuclear programme.
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Deal Appears Close, But Uncertainty Remains
Baghaei’s remarks contrast with recent optimism from several quarters. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government has played a central mediating role in the talks, said earlier that an initial agreement between the two sides could be finalized within 24 hours.
US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly suggested that a deal is near, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said the proposed memorandum has “never been closer” to completion. However, both sides continue to publicly disagree over several reported provisions of the agreement.
What Is the Islamabad Memorandum?
The proposed memorandum is expected to serve as a preliminary framework rather than a final peace agreement.
According to reports, the document would seek to extend the current ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, establish a timetable for future nuclear negotiations and potentially provide phased sanctions relief tied to Iranian compliance. Many of the most contentious issues, including Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the scope of sanctions relief, would be addressed during a subsequent negotiation period.
Key Differences Still Remain
Despite progress, major disagreements continue to complicate the negotiations.
Iran has insisted on preserving its right to uranium enrichment and maintaining a role in managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while US officials have emphasized restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear programme and have rejected reports suggesting that billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets would be released immediately upon signing.
Baghaei has repeatedly stressed that Iran will not cross its “red lines” and has previously cautioned that speculation about signing dates and locations is premature until all outstanding issues are resolved.
For now, the message from Tehran is clear: a deal may be close, but it is not expected to be signed tomorrow.
Islamabad, Pakistan
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