Iran’s FM Rejects US Claim of Ceasefire Agreement with Israel

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi denied any formal ceasefire with Israel early Tuesday, stating no agreement exists. He added Iran may stop its military response if Israel ends attacks by 4 a.m. Tehran time, though a final decision is pending.

Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi speaking in Iranian parliament in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 18, 2024. (Photo: AP)
Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi speaking in Iranian parliament in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 18, 2024. (Photo: AP)

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed claims of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel in a post on X in the early hours of Tuesday.

Araghchi stated that Iran has consistently maintained that Israel initiated the war, not Iran. He clarified that, as of now, there is no agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations between the two countries.

He added that if Israel halts its “illegal aggression against the Iranian people” no later than 4 a.m. Tehran time, Iran has no intention to continue its military response after that time. However, the final decision on ending Iran’s military actions will be determined later.

Araghchi also praised Iran’s armed forces for continuing their operations “until the very last minute, at 4 a.m.” He expressed gratitude to the country’s military personnel, describing them as brave defenders of Iran who respond to any attacks “until the very last drop of blood.”

The statement stands in contrast to a recent announcement by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who on Monday declared via his Truth Social account that Israel and Iran had reached a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE.”

According to President Trump’s post, both nations agreed to implement a ceasefire starting approximately six hours after the message, following the completion of “in progress, final missions.” The ceasefire would be staggered, with Iran leading the initial 12-hour pause in hostilities, followed by a 12-hour ceasefire by Israel, marking what Trump described as the official end of “THE 12 DAY WAR.”

“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” Trump wrote, calling the development a significant diplomatic achievement. He praised both countries for having the “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” to end the conflict, which, he warned, could have lasted years and destroyed the entire Middle East.

“God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!” Trump concluded.

The announcement on Truth Social, the platform launched by Trump after his presidency, remains the primary source of the ceasefire claim. Iran’s Foreign Minister’s latest statement, however, signals ongoing uncertainty regarding the status of the conflict.

 
 
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