Oman welcomes US-Iran ceasefire

The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America (USA). It commended the efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in this context, as well as those of all parties advocating for an end to the war.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Oman emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts to find solutions that address the root causes of the crisis and achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities and acts of war in the region.
The Sultanate of Oman condemned the attacks on the Consulate General of the State of Kuwait in Basra, Iraq, describing it as a clear violation of international diplomatic norms and conventions which guarantee the inviolability of diplomatic missions and the safety of their staff.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the Sultanate of Oman categorically rejected the attack, stressing the need to respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and ensure the protection of diplomatic and consular missions under all circumstances.
RELIEF OVER TRUCE
Relief over a ​truce between the United States and Iran gave way on Wednesday to alarm that fighting was still raging across the region, as Israel launched its biggest attacks yet on Lebanon, and Iran struck Gulf neighbours' oil facilities.
World financial markets rose after President Donald Trump announced the agreement late on Tuesday, two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the blockaded Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction.
But even as Israel and the United States paused their attacks on Iran, Israel escalated its parallel war in Lebanon, launching its heaviest strikes yet, sending huge columns of smoke above Beirut as buildings crumpled.
Meanwhile, a large wave of Israeli strikes killed at least 89 people and wounded 722 others on Wednesday, Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine told Al Jazeera.
'The initial and non-final toll... we have more than 89 martyrs and more than 722 wounded as of 5:00 pm (1400 GMT),' he said.

LEBANON ATTACKS
Iran's Tasnim news agency cited an unnamed source warning that Iran will withdraw from the ceasefire if attacks on Lebanon continue.
Long ⁠after the ceasefire was meant to take effect, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain all reported fresh Iranian missile and drone strikes, several of which targeted vital oil, power and desalination infrastructure.
Iran also attacked Saudi Arabia's huge East-West Pipeline to the Red Sea just hours after the ceasefire was agreed, an industry source said. The pipeline is the main route by which some oil has been able to bypass the blockaded strait.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz ‌Sharif said he had invited Iranian and US delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday, and that Iran's ​president had confirmed Tehran would attend.
Iran's delegation is expected to be led by parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guards Commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, with ​Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
Trump told the New York Post that in-person talks would happen soon, but said his Vice-President J D Vance might not attend because of security concerns - contradicting media reports that Vance would lead the US delegation.
Despite concerns over the durability of the ceasefire, Brent crude, which had risen by more than 50 per cent since the war began, was down around 15 per cent ​on the day, at $94.50 a barrel.
Though both the United States and Iran declared victory, their core disputes remained unresolved, with each sticking to competing demands for a deal that could shape the Middle East for generations.
The Strait of Hormuz remained shut. A senior Iranian official involved in the discussions said Tehran could open it on Thursday or Friday ahead of peace talks.
Any opening, however, would be conditional on agreement over a ceasefire framework, and would be limited, with ships still requiring Iran’s permission to pass.