Iran Fears US Will Use Ceasefire to Strengthen Weapons

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Majid Takht-Ravanchi expressed concern that the United States (US) would use the ceasefire period to strengthen its weapons.

"We do not need a disarmament that allows the enemy to rearm itself and carry out another aggression," the diplomat said, as quoted by the Iranian government information portal reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Friday, April 10.

He stressed that Tehran supports diplomacy and dialogue, but not those that open the door to new attacks on Iranian territory. Takht-Ravanchi added that Iran's 10-point plan would be the basis for peace talks.

According to him, the actions of the Iranian armed forces during the conflict have forced the US and Israel to reconsider their "strategic vision" of Tehran.

Previously, on Tuesday (7/4), US President Donald Trump stated that he had agreed to a two-week bilateral ceasefire with Iran, and also ensured that Iran also agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council then said Tehran would begin talks with the US on Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

On Wednesday (8/4), Israeli fighter jets and artillery attacked dozens of settlements in southern Lebanon, including the main city of Tyre. Trump stated that the cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon was not included in the agreement with Iran due to the factor of the Hezbollah group.

However, Iran considers this as a violation of the ceasefire that has been agreed between the US and Iran.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated that negotiations to end the US-Iran conflict depend on commitment to the obligation of a ceasefire on all fronts.