The United States and Iran are on the verge of signing an agreement to end their ongoing war, three regional officials told The Associated Press on Friday. The tentative deal includes terms for the removal and destruction of Iran's nuclear material, according to a senior U.S.
official. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that an agreement "has never been closer," though he provided no details, indicating a final deal is still pending.
The apparent breakthrough follows three days of exchanges of fire between Iran, the U.S., and Israel this week, which threatened to plunge the Middle East back into full-scale war. The conflict, launched by the U.S.
and Israel on February 28, has rattled the region and virtually halted oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7.
The emerging deal is expected to pave the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a phased lifting of sanctions on Iran, and the release of frozen Iranian assets, the regional officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.
A senior U.S. official added that key terms include dismantling Iran's nuclear program and Iran agreeing not to fund terrorist groups.
Despite the progress, U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Iranian officials on social media on Friday, saying, "They better get their act together, and FAST!" Iran's nuclear program has been a central point of division, with the U.S.
and Israel fearing it could lead to an atomic weapon—a reason they cited for going to war. Tehran insists its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has crimped global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices, and made food and other basics more expensive worldwide. The U.S.
responded in mid-April with a naval blockade of Iranian ports to choke off Iran's oil exports.
The regional officials expect a signing ceremony in the coming days after approval from Washington and Tehran. U.S.
Vice President JD Vance said on social media that the deal "has the potential to remake the region and lead to lasting peace." Trump on Thursday claimed significant progress in extending the ceasefire, just hours after threatening to escalate attacks and seize Iran's oil industry.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, which has been leading mediation efforts, had no immediate comment Friday. Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday that Pakistan remained involved in negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was not a party to the deal but said he and Trump were in "full agreement" that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and would not withdraw from occupied zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, or the West Bank.
Iran has insisted that any deal must also end fighting in Lebanon between its ally Hezbollah and Israel. Netanyahu appears intent on destroying the militant group, complicating negotiations.
The deal is largely being brokered by Pakistan, led by its army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, with backing from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar.