US and Iran Say Deal Close as Lebanon Fighting Continues

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Tuesday that the text of a “final” U.S.-Iran peace deal had been agreed upon, with negotiations nearing completion less than 24 hours before a potential breakthrough, according to a report from Dawn. The claim comes as Israel conducted air strikes on Lebanese territory, according to state media, and ongoing violence in Lebanon complicates regional tensions despite diplomatic progress.

Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion, reported by Dawn, marks the latest in a series of conflicting signals from officials involved in the negotiations. Iranian representatives have also indicated proximity to an agreement, with the Islamic Republic’s foreign ministry spokesperson stating that “peace has never been this close,” according to a Reuters report. However, no official confirmation of a deal has been released, and details remain opaque.

Israeli military activity in Lebanon intensified on Tuesday, with the Israeli Defense Forces conducting airstrikes on multiple locations, as reported by BBC News. Lebanese state media cited officials describing the attacks as “targeted strikes” against “military infrastructure,” though no immediate casualties were confirmed. The escalation occurred amid heightened regional scrutiny over the U.S.-Iran negotiations, which have drawn scrutiny from multiple international actors.

U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the status of the talks, but diplomatic channels suggest that negotiations are in “advanced stages,” according to a report from The Guardian. The publication cited unnamed diplomats as noting that “the Trump administration’s involvement has introduced unpredictability,” referencing the former president’s frequent public interventions in past negotiations. This dynamic has raised concerns among allies about the deal’s stability.

Lebanon’s government has condemned the Israeli strikes, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati calling for “immediate de-escalation” in a statement released Tuesday. The country’s security apparatus has reported increased military preparedness, though no formal mobilization orders have been issued. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated calls for “diplomatic resolution” in a press briefing, emphasizing that “regional stability remains a top priority.”

The stalled peace process has drawn attention to the role of Pakistan as a mediator. Shehbaz Sharif’s office confirmed that Islamabad has been facilitating discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials, though specifics of the country’s involvement remain undisclosed. Pakistani officials have not addressed reports of internal debates over the deal’s terms, which reportedly include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and regional security guarantees.

As of Tuesday evening, no official statement has been released by either the U.S. or Iranian governments confirming a deal. Lebanese officials have called for transparency, with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib stating that “any agreement must address the security concerns of all parties involved.” The absence of concrete details has left regional actors awaiting further developments, while combat operations in Lebanon continue to escalate.