Will US, Iran sign peace deal at G7 summit? Officials weigh in

The US-Iran conflict, ongoing for months, is expected to enter a crucial stage at the G7 (Group of Seven) meeting coming next week, as reported by several diplomatic officials.

As reported by Bloomberg, the US and Iran are nearing signing a highly-awaiting peace deal, paving the way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, especially during the Group of Seven world leaders meeting, according to senior officials.

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According to one G7 official privy to the matter revealed that “a senior Iranian official indicated overnight that a deal is likely.” Another G7 official, instead of signing a “final deal”, the agreement will more likely take the “form of memorandum of understanding.”

A secondary G7 source verified that signals point toward an imminent accord between Washington and Tehran, while simultaneously urging caution given that prior diplomatic overtures failed to yield results.

Another diplomat briefed that Iranian negotiators had agreed to sign a deal with the US, but it is not clear whether it would be signed off by Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei who has final authority in major military and foreign policy matters.

Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump also raised the hope of the international community, claiming that a deal with Iran could be signed “very soon.”

Speaking to the reporters at the White House, Trump said, “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran. The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be ​soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe.”

However, the response of Iran is quite uncertain. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, “large parts of the agreement have been finalised, but Iran would not compromise on its red lines.”

“We have not yet reached a conclusion on this matter. This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies,” he added.

This year's G7 summit will take place from June 15-17 in Evian, in the French Alps.

According to sources privy to the plans, Geneva, Switzerland, is likely to be a potential venue for the signing, which could take place as early as Sunday.