US and Iran Near Interim Ceasefire Deal, Signing Expected in Geneva

U.S. officials say a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding with Iran is likely to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, within days. The document, referred to by some sources as the “Islamabad declaration,” would mark the start of a second phase of talks after the parties have agreed on its text, though final sign-off is still pending.

According to a diplomat briefed on the negotiations, the interim agreement would institute a 60-day cease-fire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz without fees, aiming to restore pre-war traffic levels within a month. The United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and provide limited sanctions relief tied to the deal’s implementation, while Iran would reaffirm its commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon and to address its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States had “ended the war with Iran” and anticipated a signing ceremony in Europe, potentially attended by Vice President JD Vance. However, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson described reports of a deal as “merely speculation” and said Tehran had not reached a final decision.

The proposed memorandum also involves multiple regional actors, with Pakistan credited for mediating the talks. While the agreement’s name is expected to be the “Islamabad Agreement,” details such as the release of frozen Iranian funds have not been disclosed.

Separate from the diplomatic talks, a U.S. strike on a commercial tanker in the Sea of Oman killed three Indian seafarers, prompting India to demand an end to U.S. attacks on shipping. The incident has added tension to already strained U.S.–India relations.