Iran Welcomes Truce in Lebanon

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei highlighted Iran's longstanding position on the necessity of an immediate halt to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

He detailed Iran's extensive diplomatic efforts over the past 14 months to achieve the goal.

According to Baqaei, the Zionist regime’s warmongering and crimes, carried out by the comprehensive support of the US and some European countries, have resulted in the martyrdom of 60,000 innocent people, injuries to 120,000, the displacement of over 3.5 million oppressed people in Palestine and Lebanon, and the widespread destruction of vital infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the ministry’s website reported.

He also cited the interim orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop genocide and the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for the Zionist regime’s leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The spokesman noted that public opinion in the world, which has called for an end to the war and genocide over the past 14 months, is now awaiting the prosecution and punishment of the Israeli regime’s criminals.

Baqaei also emphasized the international community's responsibility to protect peace and stability in West Asia and to exert effective pressure on the aggressor Zionist regime to cease the war against Gaza.

A ceasefire between the Israeli regime and Hezbollah took effect at 4 am local time in Lebanon (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday amid hopes the truce will bring a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Lebanese towns and cities, and stop more than a year of fighting in southern Lebanon.

As the ceasefire holds, Lebanon’s army has said it is getting ready to move into the south of the country and “carry out its mission” under UN Resolution 1701.