Iran rejects temporary ceasefire

Published April 17, 2026

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said Tehran rejects any temporary ceasefire and is seeking a comprehensive end to the war across the region, Anadolu reports.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Khatibzadeh said any ceasefire must include all conflict zones “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” describing it as a “red line” for Iran.

“We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire,” he said, adding that the cycle of conflict “should end here once and for all.”

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