Spain will not appreciate those who set the world on fire

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday joined a group of world leaders welcoming the US-Iran ceasefire announcement but indirectly taking a dig at the Trump administration for initiating hostilities.

Sanchez said, “Ceasefires are always good news. Especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this momentary respite cannot make us forget the chaos, destruction and lives lost.” Said In a social media post, according to the translation.

“The Spanish government will not appreciate people who set the world on fire just because they come with a bucket.”

Sanchez, who has emerged as one of the EU’s leading critics of US and Israeli attacks against Iran, called for “diplomacy, international law and peace”.

His comments came shortly after the US President said he had agreed to suspend attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks, sparking a broad-based relief rally in risk assets.

Trump had earlier threatened that if a deal was not reached by the Tuesday deadline “an entire civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again”.

Iranian officials said the temporary ceasefire would mean safe passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz would be “possible”, subject to coordination with its armed forces and “technical limitations” – warning that could give Tehran some room to define compliance on its own terms.

World leaders welcomed the ceasefire, although analysts described the agreement as fragile and warned that a severe lack of trust on both sides would complicate the path to lasting peace.

Sanchez has repeatedly drawn the White House’s ire since the US and Israel first launched strikes against Iran on February 28.

The government of Spain refused to allow two jointly operated bases on its territory to be used in US attacks against Iran, later doubling down on its anti-war stance and closing its airspace to US aircraft involved in the attacks.

In response, Trump reiterated his criticism of Spain’s defense spending and threatened to cut all trade ties with the southern European country.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with Spain’s Prime Minister, welcomed the two-week ceasefire. Saying This brings about “much needed stress reduction”.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas It has been told The deal is “a step back from the brink after weeks of wrangling”.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the ceasefire agreement, Saying This will “bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.”

Israel, for its part, supported the US ceasefire with Iran but said the agreement does not include the fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, India, China and Japan all issued statements welcoming the diplomatic breakthrough, which was brokered by Pakistan.

Further talks to find a comprehensive end to the Middle East crisis are scheduled to take place in Islamabad on Friday.

— CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.