Iran rejects ceasefire and calls for permanent end to conflicts in the Middle East

Iran reiterated its call for a permanent resolution to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, rejecting the idea of ​​a short-term ceasefire..

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh clarified the position while speaking to reporters at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) in Turkey, an event hosted under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Khatibzadeh said that any ceasefire agreement must cover all active conflict zones in the region, from Lebanon to the Red Sea, describing this condition as a non-negotiable priority for Iran.

He stressed that temporary pauses in hostilities would not address the root causes of the crisis, insisting instead on a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement.

According to him, ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives involving Pakistan, aim to reach a broader and more sustainable solution.

Addressing concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, Khatibzadeh said the waterway has historically remained open despite tensions, stressing that it lies within Iran’s territorial jurisdiction.

He accused the United States and Israel of contributing to regional instability, arguing that their actions have disrupted global trade and increased economic uncertainty.

Despite rising tensions, Iran has remained committed to ensuring continued access to the Strait, although it may introduce new measures to address security, environmental and navigation concerns.

Khatibzadeh noted that a lasting peace agreement, combined with what he described as a reduction in “maximalist” approaches in foreign policy, would help preserve stability in key shipping lanes.

The Antalya Diplomatic Forum, themed “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” has attracted global attention in the context of ongoing geopolitical crises, including tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The three-day summit attracted more than 5,000 participants, including heads of state, foreign ministers, diplomats, academics and policy experts from around 150 countries.

Discussions at the forum focus on addressing global challenges in the political, economic, environmental and technological sectors in an increasingly uncertain world.