A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Sunday as part of ongoing mediation efforts, Iranian media reported, with diplomats describing the visit as aimed at “facilitating the finalisation” of the deal. Pakistan, which has also been involved in shuttle diplomacy, has indicated that an agreement could be concluded within hours.
‘Deal not ready for conclusion’
But Iranian officials pushed back on the timeline.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said there were no plans for an Iranian negotiating team to travel to Geneva or elsewhere for a signing ceremony, adding that while a deal “has never been closer,” it was not ready for conclusion.
“The possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out,” he said, reinforcing the lack of a firm timeline.
The United States, meanwhile, has taken a more assertive public line. President Donald Trump said on social media that a deal was “scheduled to get signed” and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately, restoring oil flows through one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes.
The proposed framework, according to officials familiar with the talks, would include reopening the strait, extending a temporary ceasefire, and launching further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and US sanctions relief. Neither side has released the full text.
Diplomats say the emerging agreement remains fragile, with unresolved disputes over sanctions, uranium stockpiles and regional security arrangements — including parallel tensions in Lebanon — all posing potential spoilers.
The conflicting messaging has also exposed internal divisions in Iran, where conservative lawmakers and IRGC-linked media outlets have criticised the proposed deal, warning it could amount to excessive concessions to Washington.
With no joint text released and no confirmed signing venue, officials on all sides now appear to be managing expectations as much as negotiating substance — leaving the status of the deal unclear even as diplomatic momentum continues.
A Senior Associate Editor with more than 30 years in the media, Stephen N.R. curates, edits and publishes impactful stories for Gulf News — both in print and online — focusing on Middle East politics, student issues and explainers on global topics.
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