Iran's Supreme Leader Responds Cautiously to US Ceasefire Agreement
Iran's Supreme Leader Issues Cautious Response
On Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei provided his first reaction to the two-week ceasefire agreement with the United States. While he has instructed the military to halt attacks, his stern demeanor indicates that Iran remains skeptical about the deal. Khamenei adopted a cautious stance regarding the ceasefire with the US, ordering all military units to cease fire while also emphasizing that they should keep their fingers on the trigger, stating, 'This will not be the end of the war.'
Military Readiness and Warnings
In a statement broadcasted on 'Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting', Khamenei acknowledged that the conflict is ongoing but mandated all branches of the military to comply with the ceasefire order and suspend their operations. Furthermore, Iran issued a stern warning, asserting that its forces are on high alert. It stressed that the ceasefire should not be interpreted as the end of hostilities, and any action from the US or Israel would be met with readiness.
National Security Council's Statement
Following the ceasefire announcement, Iran's Supreme National Security Council emphasized, 'This does not signify the end of the war... Our fingers will remain on the trigger, and any minor misstep from the enemy will be met with a powerful response.'
Conditions for Ceasefire with the US
The US has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, a proposal initially put forth by Pakistan, which was announced by Donald Trump just 90 minutes before he was set to launch a significant attack on the West Asian nation. Trump made this announcement on Tuesday evening (US time) via 'Truth Social', facing criticism from Democrats who demanded his removal due to his comments about destroying Iranian civilization. He stated, 'I agree to halt bombings and attacks on Iran for a two-week period,' adding that the ceasefire would be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Negotiations and Future Discussions
In Tehran, Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed its acceptance of the two-week ceasefire, stating that discussions with the US would commence in Islamabad on Friday. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has invited delegations from both countries to meet on April 10 to advance negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt noted that discussions regarding face-to-face talks are ongoing, but no final decision has been made yet. Trump also mentioned that the US received a ten-point proposal from Iran, which he described as a practical basis for negotiations, suggesting that the two-week ceasefire could be utilized to progress towards a broader agreement that might ultimately resolve the conflict.