KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Iran said it would cease its defensive operations if the United States halt attacks against the country, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi said on social media platform X Wednesday, in a statement released on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
The statement followed request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by President Donald Trump about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations.
Araghchi also expressed gratitude and appreciation to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for their roles to end the war in the region.
Trump on Tuesday announced a two-week suspension of military action against Iran following discussions with Pakistani leaders, agreeing to halt planned strikes, contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz “completely, immediately, and safely”.
“I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.
“This will be a double sided ceasefire,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Escalating military operations between the US, Israel and Iran which erupted on Feb 28 after Washington and Tel Aviv launched attacks on Iran, have pushed the West Asia region into a broader conflict, disrupting global markets and aviation, as well as causing far-reaching economic consequences.
