Australia welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, calls on parties to uphold humanitarian law, protect civilian life

CANBERRA: Australia on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire announcement involving the United States, Iran and Israel, expressing hope that the agreement will be upheld and lead to a broader resolution of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

US President Donald Trump has stepped back from the brink of a major military escalation with Iran, announcing a conditional two-week pause in planned attacks tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a development that came as a big relief to people across the world.

The decision came 90 minutes before the self-imposed 8 p.m. EST deadline set by Trump for Iran to reach a deal, after backchannel diplomacy involving Pakistan.

Iran signalled tentative acceptance. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt operations if attacks stop.

“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.

“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he added.