Iran rejects ceasefire with US, seeks ‘guarantees’ to prevent renewed war

ISTANBUL

Iran on Monday rejected the idea of a ceasefire with the United States, saying any pause in fighting could allow its adversaries to regroup and resume attacks.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press briefing that Tehran would only consider arrangements that include guarantees preventing a return to hostilities.

“A ceasefire means a pause to rebuild forces for renewed attacks. No rational actor would accept that,” he said.

Iran’s demands must include “guarantees” to prevent a cycle of ceasefire and renewed conflict, he added, stressing that decisions related to national security “must ensure no further acts of aggression.”

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.