Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that a deal with the U.S. to end the U.S.-Israeli war has never been closer [1].
This development suggests a potential breakthrough in long-standing tensions and a move toward a formal cease-fire. The agreement would not only aim to stop active hostilities, but also secure the release of Iranian funds previously seized by the U.S. [2].
Araghchi shared the update via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter [3]. He said that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the peace deal has "never been closer" [4]. The announcement follows prior diplomatic discussions held in Islamabad [5].
"The deal to permanently end the US‑Israeli war with Iran has never been closer," Araghchi said [2].
The signals of progress come amid a complex political environment. The announcement serves to counter public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the terms of the deal, which had been leaked previously [6].
While the U.S. administration has not officially confirmed the finality of the terms, the Iranian foreign minister's public statement indicates that the two nations are nearing a resolution on critical security and financial points [1]. The release of frozen assets remains a central pillar of the negotiations, as Iran seeks to recover funds to stabilize its economy [2].
Araghchi said that the deal with the U.S. is "never been closer" [7].
“The deal to permanently end the US‑Israeli war with Iran has never been closer.”
The public nature of Araghchi's announcement suggests Iran is attempting to create diplomatic momentum and lock in the terms of the agreement. By signaling that a deal is imminent, Iran may be trying to pressure the U.S. administration to finalize the release of funds and formalize the cease-fire despite internal political opposition from President Trump.
