Iran lawmaker says ceasefire approved by Mojtaba Khamenei

A long message attributed to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to “not let go” of attackers, seek compensation and “avenge” the dead, warned it would take Hormuz Strait “to a new phase,” and urged Arab neighbors to “stand in the right place” and turn away from Western powers.

“Everyone must know that, God willing, we will certainly not let go of the criminal aggressors who attacked our country. We will definitely seek compensation for every damage inflicted, as well as blood money for the martyrs and compensation for the wounded of this war," said the message marking the 40th day after Ali Khamenei’s death.

“The nation… will keep alive in its heart a firm determination to avenge the blood of [the leader] and all those killed in the imposed wars.”

Addressing the Islamic Republic's supporters, Khamenei said, “It should not be assumed that announcing an intention to negotiate with the enemy means there is no need for a presence in the streets."

"On the contrary, even if, hypothetically, a period of silence on the military battlefield becomes necessary, the duty of all people who can be present in squares, neighborhoods, and mosques appears heavier than before. Your chants in the streets are effective in shaping the outcome of negotiations.”

Iran’s leaders “talk much differently when you’re at a meeting than they do to the press. They’re much more reasonable,” US President Donald Trump said during a phone interview with NBC News.

“They’re agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to. Remember, they’ve been conquered. They have no military. If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be very painful,” Trump added.

Trump also said he was “very optimistic” a peace deal with Iran was within reach.

Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited an informed source as saying that the Islamic Republic rules out negotiations with Washington and keeps the Strait of Hormuz closed until a full ceasefire is established in Lebanon.

“One of the operational options on the table is keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed. According to data and field monitoring, it has been clear since this morning that this strategic maritime route remains closed, and this situation will continue until a full ceasefire with Lebanon is achieved," the source was quoted as saying.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly dropped since the start of the Iran war. On April 7, only five ships crossed the strait, according to MarineTraffic data.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, said Tehran may consider entering negotiations with the United States if Washington stops what he described as repeated violations of commitments, while warning that hostilities could resume otherwise.

“From now on, if the United States does not continue violating its commitments, it may be possible for us to enter negotiations; otherwise, we will restart the fire," Ghalibaf said, following Iran's condemnation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon's Hezbollah as a violation of the ceasefire.

Ghalibaf, who will likely head Iran's delegation in planned talks with the United States scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, made the remarks in a message marking the 40th day since the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

He added that Iran’s armed forces and the public were prepared for such a scenario.

Ghalibaf framed recent developments as a strategic gain for Tehran, describing what he called a shift in Washington’s position.

“We did not agree to negotiate with the United States under Trump’s ultimatum, and at that time he was forced, in order to control his country’s market, to falsely speak of negotiations with Iran and extend his ultimatum three times."

“The acceptance of Iran's 10-point plan as the framework of talks was not achieved through negotiation, but through an exchange of texts,” Ghalibaf said.

“Today we are witnessing part of this sense of victory. The arrogant US president’s historic retreat, abandoning the United States’ plan and accepting the generalities of the Islamic Republic’s 10-point plan — in which Iran’s rights are explicitly stated — is an undeniable victory for Islamic Iran in this civilizational war,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the outcome remained incomplete.

“We consider this victory only a first and unfinished step,” he said. “We do not believe in separating the field from diplomacy. We have only one field: defending the rights of the Iranian people. These rights are achieved either through military struggle or through diplomatic struggle — and together they lead us to success.”

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed his cabinet to begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” following repeated requests from Beirut for direct talks.

The planned discussions will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries, Netanyahu said, welcoming the Lebanese prime minister’s call to demilitarize Beirut.

However, Axios cited an Israeli official as saying there is no ceasefire in Lebanon despite talks planned in the coming days.