The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Saturday, that it rules out the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States of America within the next twenty-four hours, in response to news reports about an imminent agreement brokered by Pakistan. The ministry's spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei, confirmed that the signing would not take place tomorrow, Sunday, as rumored, emphasizing the need for caution in setting deadlines given the other party's hesitation in negotiations.
Baghaei clarified in statements reported by official media that the possibility of signing within the next few days remains open and not ruled out, but it is contingent on overcoming the remaining obstacles. He indicated that the memorandum being finalized in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, primarily focuses on ending the war on all fronts, including the Lebanese arena, to ensure comprehensive regional stability.
For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed great optimism about an impending settlement, confirming via the X platform that the parties are closer to a peace agreement than ever before. Sharif noted that his country is preparing for an immediate electronic signing once the agreement is finalized, to be followed by detailed technical talks next week to resolve outstanding issues.
In a related context, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi downplayed immediate expectations, stressing that a preliminary agreement cannot be confirmed unless all issues on the table are agreed upon. These statements reflect gaps in the proposed settlement formulations, as the narratives circulating in Iranian media significantly differ from the version promoted by political circles in Washington.
On the ground, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) accused Tehran of attempting to target commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz using one-way attack drones. Despite these accusations, CENTCOM affirmed that the strait remains open for international navigation, noting that it monitors Iranian movements in the vital region to ensure the flow of global energy supplies.
Coinciding with these developments, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a security incident off the coast of Oman, where a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile in its bow. The authority stated that the crew was unharmed and the vessel continued its voyage to its next destination, confirming no environmental repercussions from the attack, which occurred a few miles off the Omani coast.
In a notable legislative move, the head of the National Security Committee in the Iranian Parliament, Ibrahim Azizi, announced the preparation of a comprehensive bill concerning transit arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. Azizi described this plan as a permanent sovereign initiative comparable in historical importance to the decision to nationalize Iranian oil, indicating that Parliament seeks to legalize navigation management in a way that preserves supreme national interests.
Azizi added that the plan aims to ensure the security and development of the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz under direct Iranian supervision, in response to what he described as external threats. He affirmed that his country follows rational policies in the region but will not hesitate to respond to any threat to its sovereignty or obstruction of its rights in the waterways near its borders.
These political and military moves come after a period of intense tension that began last February, when direct confrontations erupted between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other. That period witnessed reciprocal attacks targeting strategic interests, before a temporary ceasefire was reached last April through international mediation.
Since mid-April, the United States has imposed a strict blockade on Iranian ports, including vital facilities located on the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbating the economic crisis. Tehran responded to these measures by imposing strict restrictions on the passage of ships in the strait, requiring prior coordination with its maritime authorities to allow passage, which has kept international navigation in a constant state of anticipation.
Diplomatic sources indicate that negotiations in Islamabad seek to find a balanced formula between Iranian demands for lifting the blockade and American demands for ensuring navigation security and de-escalating military tensions. However, the disparity in statements between the Pakistani mediator and officials in Tehran suggests that the final moments of negotiation still face real challenges.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the sensitive nerve center in this confrontation, as any change in its management or navigation rules could lead to major repercussions on global energy prices. Major capitals are monitoring the results of the anticipated technical talks, with cautious hopes that these efforts will lead to a lasting agreement that ends the military and economic attrition in the region.
The prepared plan for ensuring the security and development of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is a permanent initiative akin to oil nationalization.
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Tehran Rules Out Imminent Agreement with Washington, Reveals Plan for Strait of Hormuz Management