Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters on Friday in Antalya, Türkiye, that Tehran is pursuing a permanent end to wars across the Middle East rather than a temporary cease‑fire. Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), which is held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he said any cease‑fire must cover every conflict zone "from Lebanon to the Red Sea", calling this a "red line" for Iran. "We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire," Khatibzadeh declared, adding that the "cycle of conflict should end here once and for all." He noted that Pakistan's recent mediation was aimed at achieving that broader goal.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Khatibzadeh observed that the waterway has historically remained open and lies within Iran's territorial waters. He blamed the United States and Israel for creating instability that harms global trade and the wider economy. While reaffirming Iran's commitment to keeping the strait open, he hinted that new security, safe‑passage and environmental arrangements could be considered. He argued that a lasting resolution and "a shift away from maximalist positions by the U.S." would secure the strait as a stable route for global commerce.
The three‑day forum, themed "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties" and focusing on "Navigating Uncertainty in a Changing World", opened on Friday amid ongoing U.S.–Israel–Iran tensions, energy‑security concerns and the Russian‑Ukrainian war. The event hosts 20 heads of state and government, 40 foreign ministers, 60 invited foreign media and over 5,000 decision‑makers, academics, experts and diplomats from about 150 countries.
Saeed Khatibzadeh's refusal to accept a temporary ceasefire signals Iran's insistence on a sweeping peace settlement. For ordinary Nigerians, any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could translate into higher oil prices and increased costs for imported goods. Continued friction that Iran attributes to U.S. and Israeli actions may also ripple through global trade, affecting everyday expenses at home.
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