‘We expect unimpeded freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz’: India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire | India News
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US, expressing hope that it would pave the way for lasting peace in West Asia and stressing the need for unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.“We welcome the ceasefire and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have consistently advocated in the past, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential for a swift end to the ongoing conflict,” the MEA said in a statement.
“The conflict has already caused immense suffering for people and disrupted global energy supplies and trade networks. We hope that freedom of navigation and global trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz will continue to prevail.”The statement came after Iran, the United States and Israel announced a two-week ceasefire, with Tehran indicating it would enter into talks with Washington in Islamabad from Friday.US President Donald Trump First said Iran proposed a “workable” 10-point plan, but later dismissed it as fraudulent without providing details. Hours before announcing the cease-fire, Trump issued a stark warning, saying, “An entire civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back,” if Iran fails to agree to terms to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin NetanyahuIts office said it supports Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks. However, it made clear that the pause does not extend to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where more than 1,500 people have been killed.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed under Iranian military control, although it was not yet clear whether Tehran would fully ease its control over the key waterway.The plan could allow both Iran and Oman to levy fees on ships transiting the strait, according to a regional official familiar with the talks. Iran could use the funds for post-war reconstruction, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.Despite the ceasefire, major disagreements between Iran and the United States remain unresolved, including issues related to Tehran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities and its regional proxy network, all of which Washington and Israel have cited as reasons for initiating military action.Iran has also set a wide range of conditions for ending the conflict, including the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, the lifting of sanctions and the release of its stockpiled assets.
