What They’re Saying About the Iran War—May 27, 2026

U.S.

President Donald Trump | Comments at Cabinet Meeting

“They [the Iranian regime] want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be—either that or we’ll have to just finish the job. . . . They’re negotiating on fumes, but we’ll see what happens.”

President Donald Trump | Truth Social

“If Iran surrenders, admits their Navy is gone and resting at the bottom of the sea, and their Air Force is no longer with us, and if their entire Military walks out of Tehran, weapons dropped and hands held high, each shouting ‘I surrender, I surrender’ while wildly waving the representative White Flag, and if their entire remaining Leadership signs all necessary ‘Documents of Surrender,’ and admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent U.S.A., The Failing New York Times, The China Street Journal (WSJ!), Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN, and all other members of the Fake News Media, will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America, it wasn’t even close. The Dumacrats and Media have totally lost their way. They have gone absolutely CRAZY!!!”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Comments at Cabinet Meeting

“I think there’s been some progress [in the negotiations] and some interest, and we’ll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made. . . . You have other options available to you if [diplomacy] doesn’t work.”

Sen. Dick Durbin | Press Interview Speaking Engagement Comments

“I hope that he’ll reach an agreement, a negotiated settlement and the end of this needless war as quickly as possible, but I am skeptical. He has promised over and over again that he’s either going to wipe Iran off the face of the earth or he’s got some positive negotiations. I just don’t understand how he can say that contradictory thing and expect the American people to believe it. . . . Article One, Section Eight of the [U.S.] Constitution is very clear. Only Congress can declare war. This president is ignoring it at his peril. He didn’t consult with NATO, he didn’t consult with the American people, he didn’t consult with Congress, and now we’re in a war that has already claimed 14 American lives.”

State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott | Press Interview

“From day one, President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, and he has taken decisive action to ensure that they never do.”

Central Command | X

“An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter approaches USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) after patrolling the Arabian Sea in support of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of May 27, 109 commercial vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance.”

IRAN

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, Deputy Political Chief of the IRGC Navy | Comments to Journalists

“The possibility of war is low because of the enemy’s weakness. The armed forces are lying in wait with full magazines. Do not doubt that we will turn the area from Chabahar to Mahshahr into a graveyard for aggressors.”

Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council | Comments to Journalists

“This issue [enriched uranium] is not on our agenda of talks.”

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei | Comments to Journalists

“It is very clear when it comes to nuclear issues. We are a member of the NPT and as a member, we have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We have also made our positions very clear regarding Iran’s highly enriched uranium. If we want to discuss the details of these issues at this stage, we will not be able to conclude the talks. Because we have already gone this route and the differences of opinion were so beg that we were unable to conclude them.”

EAST ASIA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi | Comments to the Press

“The key to the current situation lies in the US-Iran negotiations. We support the active mediation efforts of Pakistan and other countries, as well as the efforts made by the US and Iran themselves. Deep-seated problems don't arise overnight; resolving long-standing grievances is no easy task. However, every step forward in the negotiations brings a greater chance of peace; the sooner the conflict ends, the fewer civilian casualties there will be. We hope that the parties involved will firmly uphold the ceasefire and continue to move towards each other, bringing peace back to the Middle East as soon as possible.”

UNITED NATIONS

Security Council | Press Statement

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the egregious drone attack on an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region in the United Arab Emirates.  They underscored that the attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law with grave risks for civilian lives, infrastructure and the environment.  The members expressed deep concern over this dangerous escalation and demanded the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, including attacks and threats of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities.”