The United States and Iran are nearing a potential peace agreement, with Pakistani officials reporting that a “final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached,” according to a June 12, 2026, statement from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) reportedly includes provisions for Iran to destroy its nuclear material, dismantle its nuclear program, and ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, as outlined by a senior U.S. administration official. However, Iran has not publicly confirmed agreement to these terms.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that a deal could be signed as early as this weekend, while Iranian officials cautioned against speculation about the agreement’s contents. The U.S. and Iran have exchanged conflicting statements about the MoU’s structure, with the White House describing it as a “performance-based deal” tied to Iran’s compliance. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated the ceasefire deal “has never been closer,” per Al Jazeera reports.
Recent tensions include the U.S. shooting down two Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz on June 12, 2026, as part of ongoing clashes in the region. The incident occurred amid heightened U.S.-Iran hostilities, including airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the drone shootdown, stating it was a “defensive measure” to protect U.S. naval assets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later accused the U.S. of “aggression,” according to a statement from the Iranian government.
Pakistan’s role as a mediator has been critical, with Sharif emphasizing that “peace has never been this close” in a statement shared on social media. However, final approval from Iran remains pending, and details about economic incentives or timelines for signing the deal remain unclear. Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reiterated the country’s commitment to “facilitating a durable peace” in a June 13 press conference, citing “constructive dialogue” between the U.S. and Iran.
The MoU’s nuclear provisions align with longstanding U.S. demands, including verification mechanisms overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A senior U.S. State Department official told ABC News that the agreement would “eliminate Iran’s capacity to produce nuclear weapons” through “irreversible dismantlement” of enrichment facilities. Iran’s nuclear program has been a focal point of international disputes since the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
Iranian officials have consistently rejected the U.S. narrative, with Zarif stating in a June 12 interview with Al Jazeera that the
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