US and Iran Near Framework Agreement Despite Timing Uncertainty

Washington: The United States and Iran have reportedly moved closer to reaching a framework agreement aimed at ending their longstanding conflict. However, uncertainty looms over the timing of the deal, with conflicting predictions from Washington, Islamabad, and Tehran. According to Oman News Agency, US President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism that the framework deal would be finalized today. Trump announced on social media that the agreement was set to be signed on his 80th birthday, highlighting the significance of the occasion. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sharif revealed that both sides had reached an understanding on the framework for a peace deal, with Islamabad preparing to sign it electronically today. This would be followed by technical discussions in the days to come. In contrast, Iran has refrained from confirming the signing of the agreement today. Esmaeil Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, cautioned against speculating on the precise date and in dicated to Iranian state media that the signing would not occur 'tomorrow,' but could potentially take place 'in the coming days.' Furthermore, Trump assured that maritime navigation in the region, a crucial route for global oil supplies that Iran had previously closed, would be accessible to all immediately after the signing of the agreement.