US-Iran deal scheduled to be signed on Sunday, says Trump

A deal to end fighting between the US and Iran is "scheduled to get signed" on Sunday, US President Donald Trump has said - but Iran has cast doubt on the timing.

In a post on social media, Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, would be "open to all" following the deal.

Earlier Pakistan, a key mediator, said finalisation of the deal was expected within 24 hours and they were "preparing for the electronic signing".

But Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei expressed caution saying "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".

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif added there would be technical-level talks next week if the deal is signed this weekend.

On Friday, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchialso said that a deal to end fighting with the US was close.

Pakistan's prime minister also said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran had been agreed and awaited finalising.

The agreement also envisaged an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said.