World leaders greet tentative US-Iran ceasefire agreement as Israel rejects withdrawal
A provisional pact to halt hostilities between the United States and Iran has been announced, drawing praise from many nations while Israel says it will not pull back from Lebanese territory.
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Washington and Tehran announced a provisional agreement intended to end the conflict that has involved U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran and Lebanon. The deal, which includes a 60-day cease-fire and a framework for broader negotiations, is slated for signing in Switzerland on Friday.
Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the cease-fire would be followed by talks on sanctions relief. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the accord as a major breakthrough after months of fighting that caused thousands of deaths and pushed up global energy prices.
"The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social-media platform.
Qatar’s foreign ministry welcomed the determination of both sides to resolve differences through negotiation. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also praised the agreement and called for full compliance and a halt to hostilities.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, stated that Israel will not withdraw from the land it occupies in Lebanon and warned of a strong response if Iran were to attack Israel over its Lebanese strikes. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the pact, calling it detrimental to Israel and the free world, and said the campaign to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons would continue.
The United Nations secretary-general described the deal as a critical step toward a peaceful settlement. The European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and several other countries urged swift implementation, the restoration of toll-free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and verification of Iran’s nuclear commitments.
Turkey’s president expressed satisfaction with the development and pledged continued support for diplomatic solutions. Bangladesh, Kuwait and other nations reiterated calls for de-escalation and durable implementation of the memorandum.
