Tensions remain high in the Middle East as Iran has firmly rejected reports of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating that any de-escalation will only occur if Israel halts what Tehran describes as "illegal acts of aggression" against the Iranian people.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back against earlier claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had announced that both nations had agreed to a ceasefire to end the bloody 12-day conflict.
“As Iran has repeatedly made clear, Israel started this war, not Iran,” Araghchi stated.
He went further to clarify Iran’s position:
“At this moment, there is NO agreement on any ceasefire or halt to military operations. However, if the Israeli regime ends its illegal aggression against the Iranian people by 4 a.m. Tehran time, we will have no reason to continue our response. A final decision regarding the cessation of our military actions will be made subsequently.”
Silence from Tel Aviv
As of Tuesday evening, the Israeli government had not officially responded to either Trump’s ceasefire announcement or Iran’s firm denial of such an agreement. The silence has only deepened uncertainty surrounding the prospects for peace.
The ambiguity comes amid growing concerns over continued civilian casualties and regional instability.
Human Toll of the Conflict
The conflict, which began on June 13 following an Israeli military operation targeting what it claimed were Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, has already taken a devastating toll.
Iran reports that over 400 people have been killed, including 13 children, and more than 3,000 others injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes and bombardments.
On the other side, Iranian retaliatory strikes have reportedly killed at least 24 people in Israel, though official Israeli casualty figures have not been independently verified.
A Ceasefire in Doubt
The conflicting narratives from Washington, Tehran, and Tel Aviv have cast significant doubt on the possibility of an imminent ceasefire. While President Trump had earlier stated that the two sides had agreed to end hostilities, Iran’s direct contradiction suggests the situation remains dangerously unstable.
Regional and Global Reactions
International observers and human rights organizations have urged both countries to embrace restraint and prioritize diplomatic channels. The United Nations and several European nations have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for humanitarian corridors to be opened for civilians affected by the ongoing violence.
With Tehran demanding an unconditional halt to Israeli military operations before any formal ceasefire can be considered, and Israel yet to acknowledge Iran’s terms, the path to peace appears increasingly fragile.
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