United States and Iran agreed on Tuesday to a two-week ceasefire before the deadline set by President Donald Trump to destroy the country, with Tehran willing to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz and negotiate.
In a message posted on his social media, the president reaffirmed that there will be "many positive actions" and that "a lot of money will be made," without specifying how his Administration will act more concretely in the strait or explaining those actions.
Both parties claimed victory in the conflict that began over a month ago and has shaken the world's financial markets and spiked oil prices. Trump said on Tuesday that the United States achieved a "total and complete victory."
Iran also claimed victory: "The enemy suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation," said Iran's Supreme National Security Council in a statement.
Robles asks Israel to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon and calls on the international community not to accept exceptions
Defense Minister Margarita Robles asked Israel on Wednesday to stop its offensive against Lebanon after the two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran, while also urging the international community not to accept this exception.
The Israeli state reported that it supports the temporary ceasefire reached between Washington and Tehran early this morning and has halted its attacks against Iran, but has reported that it continues its offensive against Lebanon, and has bombed the south of the country. Meanwhile, the international community has welcomed the agreement and called for progress towards lasting peace.
Speaking to the media after a meeting at the Lebanese Embassy, Robles urged Tel Aviv to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon and criticized the international community for "accepting that Lebanon is left out" of the negotiations in these days.
Bolaños: "We are a country with a consistent and firm position. Spain is an example for the world"
The Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, took advantage of the announcement of the ceasefire in the Middle East to praise the Government's position and criticize the PP and Vox, two parties he accuses of supporting an "illegal conflict that only generates chaos, death, and destruction."
Bolaños described the ceasefire as very good news for the world and emphasized that the announcement "coincides with the position that the Government has always maintained." "Spanish democracy," he said, "is a barrier against the far-right wave affecting the world. We are a country with a consistent and firm position. Spain is an example for the world."
The minister stressed that the Government would like this ceasefire to "change the position of the two parties that have supported it, PP and Vox," calling for a clear "condemnation" from them and not a message like the one the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, posted on social media last night, which Bolaños claims to "not understand," reported by Marisa Cruz.
Saudi Arabia expects a "global and lasting de-escalation" with the ceasefire in Iran
Saudi Arabia celebrated on Wednesday the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that it will lead to a global agreement that restores stability to the Middle East.
"The Kingdom hopes that the ceasefire represents an opportunity to achieve a global and lasting de-escalation, increasing regional security, and that any attack or policy undermining the sovereignty, security, and stability of the countries in the region ceases," said the Saudi Foreign Ministry in X.
It also emphasized "the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to maritime navigation." The strait, through which 20% of the world's oil production passes, was blocked by Iran since the conflict with Israel and the United States erupted, leading to a sharp increase in oil prices.
Albares says the risk of "unacceptable violence and escalation" is diminishing
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, cautiously stated on Wednesday that the risk of "unacceptable violence and escalation, as humanity has not seen since World War II," is diminishing in the Middle East.
In an interview with RNE, collected by Servimedia, José Manuel Albares reacted to the incipient 15-day ceasefire agreed between Iran and the US in negotiations led by Pakistan. Albares affirmed that "today is a day that opens a path to hope" and recalled that the Government has defended since February 28 when the US and Israel initiated the aggression against Iran.
However, the Foreign Minister warned that "there is a short, very short time" to definitively end a war he described as "very complex, with many fronts." He explained that "there are two different plans on the table, one with ten points, another with fifteen points," and said that "we have to see the ability to converge or not converge" of these plans.
Maersk says the ceasefire between Iran and the US could create "transit opportunities"
Maersk welcomed on Wednesday the announcement of a ceasefire of two weeks between the United States and Iran, which "could create transit opportunities" through the Strait of Hormuz, although the Danish shipping giant considers that full maritime security is not yet provided.
In a statement sent to Europa Press, the Danish company emphasized that, for now, the information and details available are still very limited, so Maersk continues to work to obtain greater clarity.
"The ceasefire could create transit opportunities, but does not yet provide full maritime security and we need to understand all possible associated conditions," the company explained.
Thus, any decision to transit through the Strait of Hormuz will be based on continuous risk assessments, rigorous monitoring of the security situation, and guidance available from relevant authorities and partners.
Pedro Sánchez, satisfied with the ceasefire in Iran, maintains his criticism of Trump
The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, considered the ceasefire in the Iran war good news but warned, referring to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, that Spain will not applaud "those who set the world on fire and then show up with a bucket."
Sánchez welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire in Iran in a message on the X social network in which he emphasized that such announcements are always good news, especially, he specified, if they lead to a fair and lasting peace. But he stressed that momentary relief should not make us forget the chaos, destruction, and lives lost.
The Government of Spain will not applaud "those who set the world on fire and then show up with a bucket," wrote the head of the Executive in reference to Trump after the United States and Israel initiated attacks on Iran that Sánchez has always considered illegal.
China declines to confirm if it will assume a security guarantor role in the Middle East
The Chinese government declined on Wednesday to confirm whether it will assume a security guarantor role in the Middle East region following a request from Iran, reiterating its commitment to a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.
In a press conference, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning responded to reports of a request from the Iranian ambassador in Beijing for China, along with other powers, to contribute to ensuring stability in the area after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
Mao avoided confirming any specific involvement of China in this regard and simply stated that the country "will maintain communication with all parties" and will continue working to "move the situation towards a comprehensive cessation of hostilities."
Israel bombed several Iranian bases overnight, despite the ceasefire
The Israeli Army announced on Wednesday that overnight it launched a wave of bombings against missile launch bases in Iran, without specifying whether these attacks concluded before or after the ceasefire took effect at 00:00 GMT.