A report from Saudi state-owned media outlet Al Arabiya sparked confusion on Thursday, May 21, claiming that a peace deal between Iran and the United States had been reached with mediation by Pakistan.
According to Al Arabiya, 'serious efforts' are underway to finalize a draft agreement, with Pakistan's army chief expected to visit Iran in the next couple of days and the final round of negotiations between the US and Iran to take place 'after the Hajj season' in Islamabad.
However, a senior Iranian official has told Reuters that talks are progressing, but no deal has been reached yet. No other major news agencies have confirmed the reports of a final deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he was hopeful about the Pakistan delegation visit, but noted that the Iranian side remains 'fractured' and that any tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz would be 'unacceptable.'
