**Kombos Hails Iran-US Deal as ‘Important Step’ in Call with Iran’s Araghchi**
Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos expressed his support for the recently signed agreement between Iran and the United States, which aims to halt hostilities that erupted earlier this year. In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Kombos described the deal as “an important step towards strengthening regional stability.”
The agreement was signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump on Thursday. Following the announcement, Kombos took to social media to welcome the deal and emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue and diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In his own remarks, President Trump addressed critics who claim he has not taken a strong enough stance against Iran. He highlighted the positive impact of the deal on the economy, stating, “these fools, who think I haven’t been tough enough on Iran, when the stock market just hit a record high and oil prices are ‘tumbling’ down, are either jealous, bad people, or stupid.”
President Pezeshkian characterized the agreement as a “historic document,” asserting that “peace will be achieved through mutual respect.” The deal outlines a commitment from both Iran and the US, along with their allies involved in the ongoing conflict, to “immediately and permanently terminate military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” It also sets a timeline for a “final deal” to be reached within 60 days, aiming for a permanent cessation of hostilities by August 17.
A crucial aspect of the agreement is Iran’s commitment to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil transport, during the 60-day period.
However, the deal has already faced challenges. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon, resulting in at least three fatalities. A senior official close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has “no intention of backing down on its positions” regarding military actions in Lebanon and is engaged in “stubborn negotiations” with the US on the matter.
In response to these developments, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon would violate the terms of the agreement. He accused Israel of obstructing diplomatic efforts aimed at calming the regional situation, stating, “The Zionist entity does not want to provide any opportunity for any diplomatic path to calm the situation in our region.”
Earlier in the week, the Cypriot foreign ministry issued a statement regarding the agreement, calling it a “critical step for sustained de-escalation across the region, including Lebanon, and for the restoration of freedom of navigation.” The ministry encouraged all parties involved to “seize this opportunity and remain committed to dialogue, restraint, and diplomatic engagement,” highlighting the potential for renewed momentum towards a comprehensive negotiating framework addressing not only the nuclear issue but other critical regional concerns.
As the situation evolves, the international community will be watching closely to see how the agreement impacts regional dynamics and whether it can lead to a lasting peace in a historically volatile area.