Iran rejects temporary ceasefire, demands full end to regional war

Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Tehran will not accept any temporary ceasefire and is instead seeking a complete end to the war across the region. “We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire,” he said, adding that the cycle of conflict “should end here once and for all.”

Ceasefire must cover entire region

Khatibzadeh emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must include all conflict zones “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” describing this as a “red line” for Iran. He noted that Pakistan’s mediation efforts are aimed at achieving that comprehensive goal. On the Strait of Hormuz, he said the waterway has historically remained open and lies within Iran’s territorial waters, but new arrangements regarding security, safe passage, and environmental concerns may be introduced.

Pakistan’s army chief in Tehran

Khatibzadeh accused the US and Israel of triggering regional instability, negatively affecting global trade. He added that a lasting resolution, combined with a shift away from Washington’s “maximalist positions,” would ensure the Strait remains a stable route for global commerce. Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Asim Munir has been in Tehran since Wednesday, meeting with Iranian President Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Araghchi as part of mediation efforts. Pakistan brokered a 14-day ceasefire on April 8, but Iran now seeks a permanent end to the war.