The United States and Iran, says Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz, are to sign an initial peace deal within the next 24 hours, Reuters has reported.

The two nations have agreed on a framework for a peace deal that could end the months-long war in the Middle East, with the final text of the agreement having been drawn up. According to the Pakistani Prime Minister, his government is preparing for the two sides to sign the initial agreement electronically before proceeding to technical-level talks next week.

However, on Wednesday, the USA and Iran exchanged missile attacks, compromising the fragile ceasefire agreement.

On Friday, the Trump administration voiced confidence that the two sides would agree to peace terms, although Iranian statements on the agreement have differed from those of the US as per certain details, CNN says. A senior US administration official has likewise revealed that both ​sides have agreed on a written declaration and that Washington expects to sign an initial deal in the coming days.

While both sides point to progress on a peace deal, Iran asserts that the initial agreement will not be signed on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi maintained on Friday that, ‌while changes in ⁠the deal were still possible, the tentative agreement reflects his country’s strengthened position in emerging from the conflict. “Iran is the winner of the war with the US,” he said on state television on Friday.

Trump speaks of imminent signing of agreement

On the other hand, US President Trump claimed on Friday that a deal was likely to be signed imminently. That was a day after the US President had declared the US would strike Iran “very hard” again. Later in the day, however, he announced he would be cancelling the strike since negotiators had “just made a great settlement” with Iran.

Trump told reporters it was “subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days” and that there would “probably” be a signing ceremony in Europe.

Citing multiple sources, Reuters has reported that an agreement includes the US releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and ​waiving sanctions on its oil exports in return for Iran’s opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Iran’s nuclear program would be addressed during a 60-day period of talks. As per the US President, the agreement ⁠would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.

According to other sources, however, Iran has not agreed to the dismantling of its nuclear program and wants to retain its uranium stockpile in a diluted form. The proposals are also said to include discussions on potential war reparations for Tehran and the possibility of the United States dropping its longstanding demands for limits on Iran’s missile program.

Ultimately, it awaits to be seen whether the deal will in fact be signed by the leaders of the two nations.