President Donald Trump has stated that a formal agreement between the United States and Iran will be signed on Sunday, a declaration met with immediate scepticism from Tehran. The announcement, made during a press conference at the White House this afternoon, marks the first official confirmation of a date for the long-anticipated accord. However, Iranian officials have since cast doubt on the timing, suggesting that several unresolved issues remain.
“The deal is done, it will be signed on Sunday,” Trump told reporters, declining to provide further details on the terms. The assertion came after months of indirect negotiations mediated by European and Middle Eastern allies. Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded cautiously, stating via a spokesperson that “no final timetable has been agreed” and that “significant gaps” persist in discussions over sanctions relief and nuclear enrichment limits.
The apparent discord underscores the fragility of the diplomatic process. Analysts note that Trump’s unilateral declaration may be a negotiating tactic to pressure Tehran into a swift conclusion, or a premature claim designed to bolster his domestic political standing. For his part, Trump emphasised that the agreement would be “the biggest deal ever” and a “victory for peace”, without elaborating on verification mechanisms or enforcement provisions.
European diplomats, who have played a key role in bridging the two sides, have urged caution. A senior French official described the president’s statement as “optimistic” but not aligned with current negotiating realities. The official stressed that any credible agreement must address Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional activities, issues that remain contentious.
The potential deal would represent a dramatic reversal of Trump’s earlier withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018. That move had isolated Washington and led Iran to accelerate its nuclear programme. Since the resumption of talks earlier this year, progress has been halting, with both sides accusing the other of maximalist demands.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not commented directly on the announcement, but his office released a statement insisting on the need for “tangible guarantees” that the US will honour any commitments. The country’s negotiating team remains in Vienna, where technical discussions are ongoing.
Sunday’s anticipated signing ceremony would likely take place in a neutral venue, possibly Geneva or Zurich, with foreign ministers from the remaining JCPOA signatories present. The White House has not confirmed whether Trump himself will attend.
For now, the diplomatic community watches warily. As one British official put it: “We are not there yet. The destination is clear, but the final path is uncharted.”
