What They’re Saying About the Iran War—June 9, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Comments at Political Rally
“You’re really gonna win this over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It'll be a total victory, it will happen very soon, and oil prices will come tumbling down."
President Donald Trump | Comments to Journalists
“We’re going back and forth and now. They [the Iranian and Israeli governments] both agreed through me to stop, and we’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal.”
President Donald Trump | Comments to Journalists
“All I said [to [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] was we have to use common sense, we’re close to signing a very powerful deal, a very good deal. If I tell him to do something, he does it . . . [The missiles fired by Israel at Iran] had already gone, they were already on their way.”
President Donald Trump | Comments to Journalists
“These countries [five Middle Eastern countries] were very concerned. They love the deal that we have been negotiating. They called us and said that they are not doing any more attacks and asked us to tell Israel not to do any more attacks. I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon.’ It is going to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and stop enrichment. It is a phenomenal deal. We are getting everything we wanted.”
Vice President JD Vance | Press Interview
“Everybody is always trying to play everybody . . . I don’t assume that anybody is acting in good faith.”
“At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Address
“In the last 24 hours, Iran and Hezbollah tried to impose a new equation upon us. And it is an equation I find intolerable and unacceptable. They thought they would fire at Israel from Lebanese territory and from Iran—and we would not act. That did not happen, and it will not happen. Not on my watch! Just as I have done for decades, I stand firmly on our right to act against our enemies. That is how we acted now as well. After Hezbollah fired into Israeli territory, I ordered the IDF to attack terror targets in Beirut, and to eliminate Hezbollah operatives there. We did that. After Iran attacked Israel, I instructed the IDF to attack military and economic targets throughout Iran. We did that, too. At the moment, we are holding our fire, because after we struck the terror regime in Tehran, it ceased attacking us. In the event that the terror regime in Iran makes the mistake of resuming attacks on us – we will respond with overwhelming force.”
“Last night, Iran's proxies, Hezbollah and the Houthis, once again launched drone attacks against Israel from Lebanon and Yemen, despite the ceasefire.”
IRAN
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | Audio Message
“Neither diplomacy prevents military operations, nor do military operations prevent diplomacy. At one point, with the threat of an attack and cutting off negotiations, you prevent Israel’s attack on Beirut. At another point, with an attack, you show that you are not afraid of negotiations being cut off and that you are fully prepared. By God’s grace, the result is that they are forced to retreat over our rights and we establish our own rights. So it is not that we are supposed to either fight or negotiate. Rather, we are supposed to fight when it is time, and negotiate when it is time. This is how we can defeat the enemy. This is how, when we say negotiation is the continuation of struggle, it becomes real. Contrary to what some think, that there is no coordination among officials, no. There is full coordination among officials to reach the objectives. The hands of our armed forces are always open for action. Our goal is to end the war and create lasting security, not fireworks in relations with America. We also have no trust in the other side. With national cohesion, diplomacy of power and military strength under the command of the Leader, we will make the enemy lose hope in the surrender of the Iranian people.”
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“One hundred days have passed since the national jihad that rose up to preserve the lifeblood of Iran. God’s greetings upon you who warmed Iran's back, disheartened the enemy, and pulled the country from the jaws of ferocious wolves that had bared their teeth to force the submission of Islamic Iran. Long live Iran, and long live the resistance of the great Iranian nation.”
“We don’t think he’s honest [Donald Trump]. But we have said many times we accept the negotiation as a continuation of the battlefield. We consider negotiation to be part of the battle. If we could be convinced there is sincerity in the Americans, especially in the president of the United States, and if we could reach confidence that they are people of negotiation and that they also submit to the rules of negotiation, then the Islamic Republic would have no problem with negotiating. We do not see a serious will to reach a framework that could actually be implemented. And I think with regard to Iran’s blocked assets, this is in fact a very clear and prominent example of that. As for uranium enriched materials, enrichment itself, and nuclear issues, we are not currently negotiating on those matters. There is no discussion of them, because it is not intended that we should have negotiations on those issues at this stage. It [a peace agreement] depends on the behaviors that we observe from the other side. If these same behaviors continue, then no, we do not have any trust at all. And with this lack of trust, it’s not possible for negotiations to continue. And naturally, when there is no possibility of continuing, there is not result either. But if the conditions the Islamic Republic of Iran have specified are fulfilled, and if in practice, we see that reflected in the country’s national interests, especially in the economic sphere, financial matters, banking sanctions, and the issue of Lebanon, which is very, very important to us, we will by no means back down on the issue of the resistance front, its members, and especially Lebanon.”
IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Ghaani | Comments to Journalists
“The timely and powerful action of heroic Yemen shows the wisdom of the resistance front. If necessary, others will also join. The provocations of the Zionist regime and the United States in this region will be met with a reaction from the united resistance front. Borderless fighters are overlooking your transit chokepoints. Continue your aggression, and they will seize you by the throat.”
IRAN’S PROXIES
“We call on the Lebanese authorities to seize the opportunity available and correct their official relationship with the Islamic republic in a way that serves the interest of both states. In defense of our Lebanese people is a message of the Islamic republic’s commitment, morally, politically and on the ground, toward Lebanon. Use this Iranian support to achieve our national objectives, particularly in light of the formation of a new regional umbrella that has emerged from the Islamabad negotiations.”
UNITED NATIONS
Secretary-General António Guterres | X
“I'm deeply alarmed by the renewed escalation in the Middle East. All attacks must stop immediately. The ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran & Gaza must be fully respected. Any steps that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts must be avoided. . . . The exercise of navigational rights & freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. Everyone must uphold their obligations under international law & take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. There is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East. The only way forward is through dialogue & negotiations. I urge all concerned to work towards diplomatic solutions that advance regional & international peace & security.”
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