Iran Denies Ceasefire Deal with Israel, But Signals End to Hostilities if Israel Stops Aggression

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has dismissed assertions that Tehran has consented to a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. with Israel, countering remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who proclaimed what he termed a lasting solution to the conflict.

Early Monday morning, Araghchi took to the social media platform X to declare, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” He suggested a possible pause in the fighting, stating, “If Israel ceases its actions by 4 a.m. Tehran time, we do not plan to carry on with our response after that.”

The statement followed Trump's televised interview with NBC, in which he announced the conclusion of what he referred to as “THE 12 DAY WAR” between Iran and Israel, crediting the ceasefire to U.S. diplomatic initiatives. 

“I want to extend my congratulations to both nations, Israel and Iran, for their resilience, bravery, and wisdom in bringing this conflict to a close,” Trump later posted on Truth Social.

There has been no official statement from Israel regarding a ceasefire, nor has there been any acknowledgment of Trump's proposed timeline.

Earlier Monday, Trump expressed appreciation to Iran for its alert before the missile strike on the U.S.-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, enabling American personnel to implement precautionary measures. The attack resulted in no reported injuries or fatalities. The timely announcement prompted the U.S. Embassy in Doha to rescind a shelter-in-place advisory, with Qatar reopening its civil airspace shortly thereafter.

The reduction in military tensions sparked immediate worldwide repercussions. U.S. stock indexes finished the day on a positive note on Monday, driven by a sense of optimism regarding the potential for limited and brief retaliation from Iran. Oil prices have declined, easing concerns about potential disruptions in vital shipping routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for a significant portion of the global oil supply.

Amid ongoing ambiguity regarding the ceasefire's actual status, Tehran's communications suggest a potential de-escalation phase, dependent on Israel halting its military actions. 

International observers are exercising caution as they await official confirmations or statements from Israeli leadership to assess whether a delicate peace may truly be attainable.

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