Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency abruptly reported on the 25th, local time, citing sources, that the United States and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, a Pakistani military source and an Iranian security source stated, "A ceasefire agreement has been reached, including the free navigation of the Strait of Hormuz."

The sources also conveyed that the ceasefire agreement between the two countries will be announced within the next few days.

Specific details of the ceasefire agreement reported by RIA Novosti have not been disclosed, and the credibility of the sources remains unverified.

Earlier, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, acting as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, visited Tehran on the 24th and met with Iranian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The previous day, the U.S. announced an "economic pariah campaign"—threatening secondary sanctions against third-party countries trading with Iran to further tighten the squeeze on Tehran's financial lifelines. In response, Iran stated that it has established a two-year economic plan to overcome the sanctions, expressing its resolve not to surrender.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)