US, Iran Nearing Peace Agreement, Pakistan Defence Minister Says

By Chidinma Onwuchekwa

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has said the United States and Iran are nearing an agreement, raising hopes of a renewed diplomatic effort to secure a long-term peace deal.

Asif made the statement in an interview with Bloomberg News in Islamabad on Tuesday, saying recent developments indicated that Washington and Tehran were moving closer to an arrangement.

“Things are shaping up again in favor of a peace arrangement or a deal,” Asif said.

He added that signals from the previous two or three days suggested that the two sides were “close to some sort of an arrangement.”

Asif said a long-term peace agreement between the United States and Iran would be beneficial to the Middle East.

His comments come as Pakistan continues to play a role in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan has previously facilitated contacts between the United States and Iran as part of efforts to end the conflict and establish a framework for a lasting settlement.

The latest comments suggest that diplomatic channels may have gained momentum after previous attempts to reach a comprehensive agreement faced uncertainty.

However, Asif did not provide details of the issues still under negotiation or specify when an agreement could be concluded.

His remarks also did not amount to an announcement of a completed deal between Washington and Tehran.

The United States and Iran have previously been involved in negotiations over a ceasefire and broader arrangements aimed at ending hostilities and reducing tensions in the region.

Pakistan’s involvement has given Islamabad a prominent diplomatic role in the efforts, with Pakistani officials repeatedly expressing support for a negotiated settlement.

Asif said the emerging signals were favourable to peace, but further negotiations would be required before any agreement could be considered final.

The reported progress comes amid continuing regional tensions and wider concerns over the impact of the US-Iran confrontation on security and stability across the Middle East.

A successful agreement could ease those tensions and create the basis for a longer-term diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran.

For now, however, there has been no indication from the United States or Iran that a final agreement has been signed, leaving the reported progress subject to further negotiations.