Iran stresses need for comprehensive end to conflict with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran does not need a temporary ceasefire with the United States, but rather wants a comprehensive end to the conflict.

“Several countries have offered to establish relations and act as mediators. Our answer to all of them is very clear: we do not want a ceasefire, we need this war to end,” Araghchi said, as quoted by the Fars news agency.

Araghchi stressed that Iran does not need a ceasefire that ends with attacks resuming a few months later.

“We do not need a 12-day war that ends with a ceasefire, but then repeats itself a few months later,” he added.

On the night before 18 June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict that began on 28 February.

However, on 8 July, Trump announced that the ceasefire was no longer in effect, and since then US forces have launched several waves of attacks against Iran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the attacks were a response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces then responded by launching attacks on US bases in the Middle East.

On the night before 13 June 2025, Israel launched its first operation against Iran, accusing Tehran of secretly running a military nuclear programme. Iran retaliated with its own attacks.

The two sides exchanged attacks for 12 days, with the US subsequently becoming involved and carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on the night of 22 June.