Overview
U.S. and Pakistani authorities have publicly signaled that negotiators agreed on a framework designed to end hostilities between the United States and Iran and that an electronic signing could take place soon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for a signing on Sunday, to be followed by technical talks next week. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the deal was scheduled to be signed the next day, which coincided with his 80th birthday.
Iranian officials, however, declined to endorse a specific timetable. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei cautioned against pinning down the signing date and was quoted by state media as saying, "It will not be tomorrow," while allowing that it could happen "in the coming days."
Domestic pushback and visible hardliner opposition
Even as diplomatic channels advanced, hardline critics in Iran demonstrated openly against the proposed framework. Videos circulated on social media and appeared on Iranian news websites showing opponents gathering in public squares and outside the Foreign Ministry in Tehran and directing chants at Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. One of the chants captured in the footage read, "Araqchi have some shame, let go of America!" Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.
At pro-government rallies held across Iran on Saturday night, local media and residents reported hardline displeasure with the framework. In the northeastern city of Mashhad, a resident told reporters some protesters chanted, "Death to the compromiser," in what appeared to be a reference to Araqchi, and also shouted, "Compromiser, resign, resign."
Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi acknowledged the draft agreement remained subject to change but characterized the tentative understanding as evidence his country emerged from the conflict stronger.
Military actions and the Strait of Hormuz
Alongside diplomatic movement, military operations continued. U.S. forces said they shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones early on Saturday that were heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a strategic maritime route for global oil shipments, has been a point of contention during the conflict; it handled roughly one-fifth of the world's oil flows prior to the war.
President Trump wrote on Truth Social that once a framework deal is signed, the Strait of Hormuz would immediately be "open to all." U.S. officials described the reopening of the strait and the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade as core elements of the memorandum of understanding under discussion. One U.S. official told reporters, "Iran is going to open up the Strait of Hormuz, that’s a requirement. It could be open with no tolls. As they do that, we will lift our blockade." The official added that demining the straits would be part of subsequent phases and suggested countries in the Group of Seven could have a role.
Terms under discussion: assets, sanctions and nuclear talks
Draft terms described to reporters by multiple sources indicate the U.S. side would begin releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and would waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports in return for Iran reopening the strait. Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Baghaei as saying the release of frozen assets was an integral part of the agreement and that Iran would charge for services in the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei was also reported as saying foreign military bases in the region must end, without providing further detail.
The agreement under discussion does not finalize negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. That issue is slated for a later phase: negotiators envisaged a 60-day period of talks on nuclear matters after the framework's initial steps. A U.S. official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, including the destruction and removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Regional dynamics and continued military activity
Complicating the diplomatic picture, Israel said it had struck more than 70 sites in Lebanon over a 24-hour period against Iranian ally Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with President Trump over U.S. requests that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to facilitate a deal with Tehran, according to accounts of their exchanges.
The conflict’s origins and course have deepened the role of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps within the country, analysts say, and U.S. bombings have significantly degraded Iran’s military-industrial base. Nonetheless, the fighting has left hardline elements within Iran politically visible and vocally opposed to compromises they see as concessions.
What remains uncertain
Key uncertainties persist over the exact timing of any signing, the degree of domestic Iranian acceptance of the framework, and how the de-escalation measures would be practically implemented at sea. While Pakistani and U.S. officials described preparations for an electronic signing and subsequent technical talks, Iranian officials stopped short of confirming a definitive date.
Even if a framework is formalized, the next steps envisaged by negotiators - reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade, demining operations, the release of frozen assets, sanctions relief, and a 60-day nuclear dialogue - will require coordinated implementation and buy-in from multiple regional and global actors.
Reporting in this piece reflects statements and accounts provided by officials and media quoted by Iranian state outlets, U.S. and Pakistani statements, and public declarations by political leaders involved in or affected by the talks.