Qatari mediators arrive in Tehran as Washington and Tehran move closer to a deal aimed at ending the Iran war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and setting a framework for future nuclear negotiations.

Iran and the United States appeared to move closer to an agreement aimed at ending their conflict, with Qatari mediators travelling to Tehran on Sunday to help finalise the terms of a potential deal, according to regional officials familiar with the negotiations.

The officials, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on discussing sensitive talks, said both sides were showing cautious optimism that an agreement could halt hostilities that have killed thousands and restore commercial traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

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The developments came a day after US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the deal could be signed on Sunday. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran expected an agreement only “in the coming days”. Trump said the key shipping route would reopen immediately after a deal is signed.

The agreement is expected to be signed electronically, though details about the timing and process remain unclear.

Nuclear issue remains unresolved despite progress

While the proposed deal could end immediate military tensions, major disputes between Washington and Tehran remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear programme and access to frozen assets.

Officials familiar with the talks said the agreement would establish a 60-day framework for technical discussions on these issues, rather than immediately settling them.

The negotiations have been driven by months of Pakistani mediation efforts, with officials saying Islamabad repeatedly worked to prevent talks from collapsing as both sides faced pressure to walk away.

The emerging agreement also appears to fall short of the original objectives sought by the US and Israel, including dismantling Iran’s missile programme, eliminating its nuclear capabilities and ending support for regional allies and proxy groups.

Meanwhile, Trump is expected to discuss plans to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz during the upcoming Group of Seven summit. The waterway is critical for global energy shipments, and its closure has disrupted oil, natural gas and related markets.

Uranium stockpile and Lebanon conflict complicate agreement

Iran’s nuclear activities remain one of the most sensitive issues in negotiations. Trump said the US would eventually “downblend and destroy” Iran’s enriched uranium once conditions stabilise.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has around 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, significantly above levels needed for civilian use but below weapons-grade enrichment of 90%.

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Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful and has not publicly agreed to transfer or surrender its enriched uranium stockpile.

Iran has also pushed for the situation in Lebanon to be included in any broader settlement. Fighting has continued between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire, with Tehran seeking guarantees related to the conflict and the release of frozen Iranian funds.

The possible agreement has drawn criticism from Israel and some US lawmakers, who argue it does not go beyond the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term.

With the final details still under negotiation, the coming days will determine whether the diplomatic momentum results in a lasting settlement or another temporary pause in the conflict.

With inputs from agencies

First Published:
June 14, 2026, 18:10 IST

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