N. Prabhakaran DUBAI: Iran's Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, has instructed all military units to halt attacks following an agreement ...
N. Prabhakaran
DUBAI: Iran's Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, has instructed all military units to halt attacks following an agreement with the United States for a two-week ceasefire. However, Tehran has clarified that this does not signal the end of the war.
In a statement released through the Iranian State Broadcaster, Khamenei stated:
"This is not the end of the war, but all military divisions must follow the Supreme Leader's order and observe the ceasefire."
Iran warned that it remains ready to retaliate if its enemies, the United States or Israel, make any provocative moves. "This does not mean the war is over. Our hands are still on the triggers. We will respond with full force to even the slightest mistake by the enemy," stated Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
The conflict, which has lasted 39 days and claimed many lives, escalated after the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28. Iran now claims it has largely achieved its military objectives and defeated the enemy.
Iran’s Proposal
The primary demands put forward by Iran for the upcoming negotiations include:
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz must be under Iranian supervision.
The war against the "Axis Powers" must end.
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from all bases in the region.
Release of Iran’s frozen assets.
Removal of all sanctions.
Payment of war reparations.
These terms must be approved by the UN Security Council.
Trump’s Response
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire just hours before the deadline to attack Iranian power plants and bridges was set to expire. Trump accepted the proposal, which was mediated through Pakistan.
"This is a 'mutually agreed-upon ceasefire.' The United States has already achieved its military goals. Iran's 10-point proposal is a suitable basis for discussion," Trump said.
The ceasefire is contingent upon the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump added that peace talks would commence this Friday (April 10) in Islamabad. Following the news of the Strait reopening, global oil prices have already begun to decline.
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