Washington and Tehran are expected to announce a finalized draft peace proposal within 24 hours, potentially ending a six-week military confrontation that has roiled global oil markets and raised fears of wider Middle Eastern conflict.
The draft agreement was reached early Saturday morning after intensive negotiations mediated by Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, with a Qatari delegation arriving in Tehran to finalize terms, according to an exclusive Washington Times report. An announcement is targeted for Sunday afternoon.
Top officials involved include Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. However, critical disagreements remain on several fronts that could still derail the agreement.
Nuclear Program Disputes
The most contentious issue centers on Iran's nuclear capabilities. Washington insists Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons and must surrender highly enriched uranium, while Iran refuses to abandon enrichment capabilities despite claiming non-weaponization goals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated there has been "some progress" but emphasized the U.S. won't compromise on core demands. President Trump told Axios the probability of reaching agreement was "50-50."
Sanctions and Transit Rights
Iran is demanding the release of "a significant portion" of frozen assets with transparent unfreezing procedures. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil flows, has been largely closed since fighting began February 28. Iran seeks a transit levy while the U.S. demands unrestricted passage.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman noted discussions continue moving toward "convergence of views" with issues requiring further discussion.
Israeli Security Implications
In Israel, as across contested regions, security concerns and aspirations for normalcy exist in constant tension. Jerusalem has not publicly commented on the draft agreement, but any deal that leaves Iran's nuclear infrastructure intact would likely face strong opposition from Israeli security officials who view Iranian nuclear capabilities as an existential threat.
The six-week ceasefire would transform into permanent peace if successful, though President Trump hinted renewed strikes remain possible if negotiations collapse. Oil markets have been volatile throughout the crisis, with Trump previously stating prices would "tumble" once the situation concludes.
