Iran Warns US Against ‘Killing Diplomacy’ as Fragile Ceasefire Takes Hold

Tehran, April 2026 : As a fragile ceasefire settles in after 40 days of intense conflict, Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United States, cautioning against allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in a post on X, linked the ceasefire dynamics to Netanyahu’s domestic political situation. He suggested that a broader regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon, could accelerate legal consequences for the Israeli leader, whose trial is set to resume soon.

Araghchi warned that if Washington allows diplomacy to collapse under Israeli pressure, it would be a deliberate choice. “We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it,” he remarked, signalling both frustration and readiness for further escalation if needed.

Echoing similar concerns, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said “time is running out,” stressing that Lebanon and what he described as the “resistance axis” are integral to the ceasefire framework—an interpretation that remains contested.

Even as tensions persist, Tehran has intensified diplomatic outreach. Araghchi held a series of phone conversations with key global counterparts, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, France’s Jean-Noel Barrot, and Spain’s Jose Manuel Albares, along with German officials.

In his discussion with Lavrov, Araghchi said Iran had acted responsibly and reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during the two-week ceasefire window—provided the United States honours its commitments.

However, in talks with European leaders, Araghchi expressed concern over what he described as Israeli violations of the ceasefire, particularly continued strikes in Lebanon. He urged the international community to intervene and prevent further escalation.

French Foreign Minister Barrot welcomed the ceasefire but also emphasized the need to halt Israeli operations in Lebanon, while Spain’s Albares termed the attacks on Iran “illegal” and called for sustained diplomatic engagement from all sides.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect on Wednesday, with formal peace negotiations scheduled to begin later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan. Iran’s delegation is expected to be led by Qalibaf.

Despite the truce, disagreements remain over its scope. Israel has maintained that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon—a stance rejected by Iran and mediator Pakistan. Within hours of the ceasefire taking effect, Israel reportedly carried out one of its largest attacks on Lebanon, resulting in heavy casualties.

The developments highlight the delicate and uncertain nature of the ceasefire, with diplomacy hanging in the balance amid conflicting interpretations and continued hostilities.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)