Iran Deal Faces Hardline Backlash as Sunday Signing Approaches

Iran's security and military establishment has not yet signed off on the agreement, creating a potentially significant stumbling block as described by The Wall Street Journal. Mediators told the Journal on Friday that circles centered on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had yet to approve the preliminary deal to wind down the war. This uncertainty has given hardliners inside Iran an opening to attack the draft before it is signed. Hardline leaders on Saturday protested against an impending deal with the United States, calling Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi an 'intruder' and accused him of compromising with Washington, according to reports from AFP. Protests took place in Tehran and outside a foreign ministry office in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad, with demonstrators chanting 'Death to Araghchi, the dishonourable compromiser' and 'Araghchi, have some shame, put the negotiations aside.' Kayhan, a hardline daily close to Iran's most uncompromising faction, warned that the Strait of Hormuz must not be reopened through diplomacy with Washington, arguing it should not be opened until US forces leave the region and Washington accepts the supreme leader's red lines. Parliamentary opposition has also emerged, with Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for parliament's National Security Committee, criticizing 'excessive generosity' at the negotiating table, while Mahmoud Nabavian argued the emerging MoU is open-ended and allows for extension. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has urged caution over the signing timeline, telling state media 'We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow.'

The two sides are describing the possible agreement in sharply different ways, creating fundamental disagreements over key terms. Washington has framed it as a performance-based deal that would require Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, destroy or remove highly enriched uranium and accept inspections before receiving economic relief. A US official told the Wall Street Journal that under the deal, Iran could receive broad sanctions relief if it decommissions nuclear sites, ends its enrichment program and stops funding proxy militia groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. The signing of an initial agreement would open a 60-day period during which Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States would wind back its blockade of Iranian ports and commerce. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a memorandum of understanding with the United States could be signed remotely if final negotiations are completed, while insisting the text has not yet been finalized and could still change. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the release of Iran's blocked funds would be an 'integral' part of any agreement, while arguing that Tehran should receive payment for services it provides in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments show Trump's more aggressive stance, with the US president claiming Washington would take control of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and destroy it, stating 'At the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust, buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains, thanks to our beautiful B-2 Bombers and their brilliant pilots, and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States.'

The clash emerged as both sides signaled a broader agreement was close, one that would replace a fragile 60-day ceasefire. According to reports from Fars News Agency, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the parties were closer than ever and that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing. The post read: 'We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours.' Pakistan has been acting as mediator in the negotiations between the two countries. Pakistan, alongside Qatar, has been a key mediator in the negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran, with Sharif saying the country was preparing for 'the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week.' Al-Arabiya reported that Araghchi will travel to Pakistan on Sunday with a delegation for technical discussions related to the emerging agreement, though Iran's foreign ministry spokesman had earlier said no delegation would visit Pakistan and no deal is expected to be signed on Sunday. The latest developments show Pakistan's continued optimism, with Sharif writing on social media: 'We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace.'

The dispute leaves markets waiting for confirmation when trading resumes Monday. As reported by Fars News Agency, a signed deal could pull oil prices lower after they climbed during the conflict. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz would ease supply fears, since the waterway carries a large share of global crude shipments. Crypto markets have already reacted to the headlines, with Bitcoin trading near $64,460, up about 1.56% over 24 hours, while the total crypto market rose roughly 1%. The recovery followed Pakistan's 24-hour signing claim, though sentiment stayed cautious with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index near 18. A senior US administration official said Washington would be involved in de-mining the Strait of Hormuz as it reopens, with G7 countries possibly joining the effort. The official also said Trump will meet leaders from the UAE, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries at the G7 summit. Trump has also warned Tehran against failing to implement the agreement, writing: 'Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly. If it doesn't, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!'