Tehran: Iran has announced a halt in military operations following a temporary ceasefire agreement with the United States, while making it clear that the conflict has not reached its conclusion.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei directed all branches of the armed forces to comply with the ceasefire, according to a statement aired on state broadcaster IRIB. The directive comes as part of a two-week pause in hostilities aimed at creating space for negotiations.
Despite the order, Iranian authorities stressed that their forces remain fully prepared for any escalation. The country’s Supreme National Security Council warned that even a minor provocation by the United States or Israel would invite a decisive retaliation, underscoring that the ceasefire is conditional and reversible.
Tehran is expected to present a comprehensive set of demands during upcoming talks, including the lifting of sanctions, withdrawal of US troops from the region, and formal guarantees regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital corridor for global energy supplies.
Negotiations between the two sides are set to begin in Islamabad, where mediators are working to transform the temporary truce into a broader agreement. Iranian officials have indicated that the duration of the ceasefire could be extended depending on progress at the negotiating table.
US President Donald Trump, who earlier issued strong warnings to Tehran, described the ceasefire as a strategic opening for diplomacy. However, he reiterated that the arrangement hinges on Iran ensuring uninterrupted access through the Strait of Hormuz.
While both sides have stepped back from immediate confrontation, the situation remains fragile, with the next phase of talks likely to determine whether the pause leads to lasting stability or a return to conflict.
