DFA: ‘Cautious optimism’ over 2-week ceasefire between US, Iran

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran with “cautious optimism” that the talks will eventually lead to lasting peace in the Middle East.

“The Philippines welcomes with cautious optimism, the announcement of US-Iran peace talks which will be facilitated by Pakistan,” the DFA said in a statement.

“We hope that the negotiations will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace,” it added.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

His announcement on Truth Social was an abrupt turnaround from his earlier, extraordinary warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if his demands were not met.

“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will take advantage of the two-week ceasefire to secure petroleum supplies for the country.

“So we will take full advantage of the two weeks to increase our supply as much as possible and to continue to make whatever arrangements are possible. We are all hoping and praying that the two-week ceasefire will extend further if the talks go well,” Marcos said. 

In its statement, the DFA noted that the Middle East conflict has “caused significant loss of lives and damage to civilian and economic infrastructure, as well as disruptions in the global economy.”

“The Philippines continues to hope that all parties will resolve their differences through earnest dialogue and diplomacy,” it added. — JMA, GMA News