Pakistan: US-Iran Deal Within Days 'Unlikely'
The remarks came after Trump told journalists he believed a deal was within reach as he departed New York following a basketball game Monday.
"I think we're … very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal," Trump told journalists as he was leaving New York after watching a basketball game on Monday.
When asked whether it would be a matter of days or weeks, he said it would take "two or three days."
A source close to the mediation process flatly contradicted that assessment.
"(The) Situation is complex and has entered a sensitive phase considering non-stop ceasefire violations by Israel. In given situation, (an) immediate signing of a deal is highly unlikely," the source said.
Pakistan's immediate priority, sources added, is halting the ceasefire violations and coaxing both warring parties back to the negotiating table. Should Israel cease military operations in southern Lebanon and Washington and Tehran agree to resume direct talks, there are "high" chances of reaching an agreement "soon," as "most of the conflicting issues have already been settled" — but "this process cannot be completed within two or three days."
Sources revealed that the two sides had come "inches away" from signing a temporary agreement late last month, before a "large-scale" Israeli incursion and territorial seizure in southern Lebanon derailed the process entirely.
'Breakthrough' Expected
Despite the setback, Islamabad is anticipating a "breakthrough" in its efforts to halt Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon "in a few days," which would clear the path for resumption of direct US-Iran talks, the sources said.
Pakistan, alongside regional partners including Qatar, is "still working" to persuade Trump to exert "maximum" pressure on Israel to stand down in southern Lebanon. Islamabad has received a "positive response" from the White House on Lebanon, even as Israeli strikes continue.
"There is no immediate sign of a halt in Israeli attacks. But, considering a positive response from President Trump, Pakistan is hopeful about a breakthrough in a few days," a source said.
Iran has again communicated to Washington through Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that Tehran will not return to the negotiating table until Israeli ceasefire violations — particularly in Lebanon — are brought to a halt. Naqvi visited Tehran last week — his fourth such trip since February 28 — as part of Islamabad's renewed push to restart stalled direct talks. He delivered a "special message" to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei from Pakistani army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir, who has played an active role in the mediation effort.
Islamabad has already conveyed to Washington that Israel's continued bombardment of southern Lebanon and Gaza is the principal obstacle blocking a comprehensive deal.
Pakistan emerged as a pivotal mediator after brokering a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran in April, followed by high-stakes direct talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both sides. While those negotiations fell short of a final agreement, the ceasefire has held, and both parties have continued exchanging messages through Islamabad in pursuit of a lasting resolution.
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