FM Lauds Iranian Armed Forces’ Responses to Israel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi praised the country’s military forces for their steadfast defense against the Zionist regime’s war of aggression as a ceasefire in 12 days of fighting reportedly came into effect on Tuesday morning.
“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4 am,” Araqchi said in a post on his X account on Tuesday morning.
“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute,” the foreign minister stated.
His comments came after US President Donald Trump sent out a post on his Truth Social platform at around 6 pm local time on Monday in Washington, D.C. (22:00 GMT), stating that the Israeli regime and Iran have agreed to a truce.
Following the announcement by Trump, Araqchi said in a post on X, “As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around.”
In his message, posted at 4:16 am local time, the Iranian foreign minister noted, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later,” Araqchi had said.
The Zionist regime waged an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on June 13. It has carried out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear, military and residential sites that have resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of Iranians, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and ordinary citizens.
The Iranian military forces started counterattacks immediately afterwards. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force carried out 21 waves of retaliatory missile strikes against the Zionist regime as part of Operation True Promise III that inflicted heavy losses on cities across the occupied territories.
Amid the Israeli aggression, the US stepped in and conducted military attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran’s Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan early Sunday.
Iran on Monday night retaliated the US attack by launching a powerful missile strike on the American Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.
