Iran says no final decision on US agreement despite Trump forecasting Sunday signing

Iran has not yet made a final decision on a proposed memorandum of understanding with the US, according to state media, despite Qatari mediators arriving in Tehran to finalize the agreement. The negotiations face renewed strain after Israel struck southern Beirut, targeting Hezbollah strongholds following cross-border attacks. The Israeli military conducted airstrikes in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut after Hezbollah fired into northern Israel. The last such strike on Beirut triggered Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, raising concerns that recent escalations could undo diplomatic progress. President Donald Trump had announced plans to sign a ceasefire agreement with Iran on his 80th birthday, but conflicting timelines and messages from both sides have complicated the process. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, criticized the US on social media, questioning its ability or willingness to fulfill commitments. Iran had demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of a broader regional deal, but fighting has persisted. Trump previously downplayed Hezbollah attacks on Israel but called for restraint, a stance that failed to prevent further escalation. Iran’s hardliners and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have resisted parts of the agreement, while US officials maintain optimism about a Sunday signing. The latest strike in Beirut risks triggering another Iranian response, further destabilizing negotiations. Qatari mediators remain engaged, but the timing and terms of any agreement remain uncertain amid growing distrust between Tehran and Washington.