Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied that a ceasefire agreement has been reached with Israel, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim that both countries had agreed to a truce to end the 12-day conflict.
In a statement posted to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Araghchi clarified that while Iran does not currently agree to a ceasefire, it will halt military operations if Israel stops its “illegal aggression” by 4 a.m. Tehran time.
“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Araghchi wrote. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 a.m. Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
The final decision, he added, would be made later.
Backdrop: Rising Death Toll and Escalation
The denial comes hours after President Trump claimed a truce had been reached, framing it as a successful U.S.-led de-escalation. However, Israel has yet to issue any official comment, and as of early Tuesday, no new Israeli strikes had been reported.
The conflict, which erupted on June 13, has already resulted in significant casualties:
- In Iran: Over 400 people killed, including 13 children, with at least 3,056 injured, according to Iranian sources.
- In Israel: At least 24 people have been killed by Iranian missile and drone strikes.
Tensions further escalated after Iran launched missile strikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar, in retaliation for American airstrikes on its nuclear facilities.
Next Steps Unclear
The situation remains fluid. While Araghchi’s remarks indicate conditional restraint, the lack of mutual acknowledgment from Israel suggests that a formal ceasefire remains uncertain. Analysts warn that without clear diplomatic engagement, the risk of renewed escalation remains high.
