ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Iran once again appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that a deal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is closer than ever before and expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement, followed by technical-level talks next week.But the White House did not answer questions about where things stood in negotiations or when a deal might be signed. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said no signing would occur Sunday, while leaving the possibility open for the coming days.Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize.Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel earlier in the week, threatening to push the region back into a full-scale war. U.S. Central Command late Friday said on social media that it intercepted Iranian attack drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the region and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7.Here’s what to know:
