US and Iran move closer to deal, but signing timeline remains uncertain

Traffic moves past the Iranian national flag displayed on a building at Enghelab square in Tehran. Pic/AFP

US and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end months of fighting between the US and Iran, but Tehran cast doubt over the timing and hardline protesters in Iran voiced opposition. Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran on Sunday morning as part of an effort to finalise the agreement, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

US President Donald Trump posted that the deal with Iran was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, his 80th birthday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing, to be followed by technical-level talks in the coming week. But Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted by state media as saying it would "not be tomorrow" but could happen "in the coming days." Tehran has not yet taken a final decision on the framework agreement, with reviews of its political, legal, and technical aspects ongoing at expert and decision-making levels. The deal is expected to be signed electronically, without an in-person ceremony.

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No. of days deal would allow for technical discussions

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