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• 'Yes, this can and should be welcomed, and we hope that this will be a sustainable ceasefire,' says Kremlin spokesman

ISTANBUL

Russia would welcome the ceasefire between Iran and Israel announced earlier by US President Donald Trump, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, but expressed doubt about whether it would last.

“As for the announcements that have been coming out of Washington, Israel, and Tehran … it is very difficult for us to make any final conclusions and get a clear picture, because President Trump has announced that peace is forever and ever, there is an agreement,” Lavrov said in an address at the 11th Primakov Readings International Forum in Moscow.

Indicating that reports say the Americans convinced Israel to agree to the ceasefire while Qatar played a similar role with regard to Iran, Lavrov said Moscow would welcome such a deal.

“But after its announcement, there were reports of an exchange of blows between Israel and Iran, so let us not make any hasty conclusions based on fragmentary information. But we are for peace,” Lavrov added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also commented on the ceasefire during a briefing with journalists, saying such a deal is welcomed.

"If it really was possible to reach a ceasefire, then this can only be welcomed ... Yes, this can and should be welcomed, and we hope that this will be a sustainable ceasefire," Peskov said, expressing that this is what Moscow "has been calling for from the very beginning of this conflict."

Peskov also pushed back against criticism about Russia not supporting Iran enough, expressing that Moscow supported Tehran through its "clear position" with regards to the escalation.

He said there is no clear understanding yet of how much Washington's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have set back the implementation of the country's nuclear program.

"There are many who want to use the situation (in the Middle East) to add fuel to the fire, to spoil the partnership relations between Moscow and Tehran. This is understandable," he added, without further elaboration.

Trump late Monday said Israel and Iran had agreed to a "Complete" and "Total" ceasefire, ending "The 12 DAY War" which began with Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on June 13. Iran had retaliated with missile attacks.

The US had also bombed three key Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, and Tehran retaliated with an attack on a US airbase in Qatar the next evening.

The ceasefire came into effect at 0400GMT Tuesday, with Trump urging both sides not to violate it.

However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered his army earlier Tuesday to launch intense strikes on Tehran, accusing Iran of violating the truce. Iran denied the claim, vowing a resolute response to any new strikes.