What They’re Saying About the U.S.–Iran Talks—June 26, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”
President Donald Trump | Speech
“We knocked the hell out of [Iran]. And now we're negotiating from a position of pure strength. Pure strength. They know that. And the Strait’s already open. And we’re setting records in the Strait.”
President Donald Trump | Speech
“We have another one, a new market coming up, and that's called the lovely country of Iran. It’s a beautiful place. Would anybody like to go there? The Islamic Republic of Iran, they’re having a hard time with food, and we’re going to be taking some of their money, and we’ll spend it, and we’re going to be buying wheat, soybeans and corn, a lot of it, and that process is going to be starting pretty soon. It’s going to be pretty big too.”
Vice President JD Vance | Remarks
“They’re constantly trying to change the mission that Donald Trump set for us. What did he say at the outset? ‘I want to destroy their conventional military. I want to eliminate their ability to project power. And I want to ensure that they never have a nuclear weapon.’ What I’ve seen is some people trying to say, ‘Well, that’s great, but you should have a different objective.’ I think the reason the president has been so successful is because he refuses to give in to that impulse. He says, ‘We accomplished what we set out to do. We created incredible diplomatic, economic, and military leverage. Let’s use that leverage to go and accomplish an even bigger win for the American people.’ That’s what he’s asked us to do. It’s not over yet, but so far, so good.”
“Oh ok the Strait is closed again. This is just a circus of foreign policy incompetence.”
IRAN
Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution Member Rahimpour Azghadi | Speech
“When Trump proudly says I assassinated the leader of the Islamic Republic, we must also say we will assassinate you. . . . Trump says every few weeks that I killed Qassem Soleimani. We can also say we will assassinate you, and we can do it. . . . [Iran should set] a reward of several million dollars” [for killing Trump] and prepare our supporters in America [to activate cells against U.S. government officials]. . . . We must hit the [Middle East’s] oil.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi | X
“Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes, or decision-making outside of Iran’s considerations as the coastal state, cannot be guaranteed. Any credible framework must be based on coordination with Iran and the provisions of paragraph five of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Otherwise, the outcome will be the suspension of the designated parallel route.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei | X
“There is no doubt that Iran is more committed to the collective security of the region than any other party. And if the Gulf Cooperation Council believes that resolving this concern lies in seeking protection from the greatest violator of security, then that in itself constitutes a deviation from the intended goal, a bitter paradox, and a disappointing indicator of failing to learn from the recent bitter experiences. The southern neighbors must be held accountable: Why did they themselves engage in aggression against their Muslim neighbor in violation of the principle of good neighborliness and the fundamental rules of international law, and allow their territories to be used against Iran or to launch missiles from them? And why do they turn a blind eye to the destructive arms race, and to the purchase and stockpiling of hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of various types of advanced weapons for which there is no defensive justification? And why do they ignore the repeated aggressions of the Zionist entity against the countries of the region and its occupation of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian territories? . . . It should be clear to all that Iran’s military capabilities ensure the Iranian people's inherent right to legitimate self-defense in the face of aggression and crimes, while at the same time guaranteeing peace and stability in the region. Iran’s national security and dignity are matters that brook no compromise or condition; just as the inherent right to legitimate self-defense is not open to discussion, the means of this defense cannot be subject to bargaining or concession with any party.”
Persian Gulf Strait Authority | X
“PGSA, in response to repeated inquiries, announces: Any passage through routes outside the framework designated by PGSA will not be covered by safe passage guarantees and will not be entitled to insurance coverage or related liabilities. The consequences arising from passage through unauthorized routes shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator, and vessel commander.”
Persian Gulf Strait Authority | X
“PGSA advises that vessels passage outside designated routes are not covered by the Safe Passage Guarantee, insurance, or related liabilities. Any consequences arising from unauthorized routing shall be the sole responsibility of the vessel owner, charterer, and master.”
Expediency Discernment Council Member Aliakbar Velayati | X
“1) The stability of #PersianGulf Arab states is indebted to Iran's centurylong management of the Strait of #Hormuz The West has brought nothing to the region but plunder and violence.
“2) These political minors of the periphery should not be comforted by commissioned #statements know this your survival feeds off the scraps of this table In the great realignment, peripheral minor players have no seat at the table;
“3) they are eliminated, and their strategic survival is at the mercy of Tehran’s tolerance. #GCC #PersianGulf #StraitOfHormuz”
Ebrahim Azizi, Head of Parliament’s National Security Commission | X
“Warning for GCC leaders: outsourcing your security has made you less secure. You have seen how US military bases in your countries have turned into a source of threat instead of providing security. Our missile and drone power, as well as the management of the Strait of Hormuz, are Iran’s serious red lines. The only reliable path to regional security is to distance yourselves from the U.S.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“And regarding the regime of evil in Iran, I will only say this: with an agreement or without an agreement, as long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Under no circumstances will we allow Iran to develop nuclear bombs.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Speech
“Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a great achievement, and we will maintain it as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed, as long as a threat to the State of Israel exists. This is also a major blow to Iran. Iran is trying to force us into a withdrawal by force from southern Lebanon. And in effect, Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are telling them—this is none of your business. You have no role in Lebanon. Not you, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organization. The additional matter is, of course, that we are allowing the Lebanese army to begin organizing itself to take territory. We are doing two pilot zones, both at the IDF's recommendation.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz | X
“The commander of the Quds Force, Qaani, is constantly threatening Israel these days. It seems that the role of a spy and traitor suits him much more than these ridiculous threatening gestures. In any case, if the Islamic Republic attacks Israel, it will make its biggest mistake. Neither Hormuz will help them nor will attacking civilians, nothing will stop us. Our forces are ready to finish the job. @araghchi @drpezeshkian @mb_ghalibaf”
“ELIMINATED: 7 Hezbollah terrorists who transferred weapons near the Security Zone in southern Lebanon. The terrorists transferred the weapons into a structure in the El Manzala area that was used as a combat and observation post, and from which the terrorists operated to prepare attacks against IDF soldiers.”
GULF STATES
“[UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister] Abdullah bin Zayed received a phone call from Abbas Aragchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, during which the latest regional developments were discussed, following the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and Iran. His highness emphasized on the importance of full compliance with the provisions of the agreement and stressed that serious diplomacy and responsible dialogue are the preferred means of addressing regional and international crises.”
CANADA
Prime Minister Mark Carney | Comments to Press
“Engagement is not endorsement. Having an embassy, having consular services in a country, does not mean we endorse the policies of that country. . . . Moving towards that [reopening Canada’s embassy in Iran], in my judgement, a decision to be made, is what we need to do.’ . . . There are series of countries with whom we don’t see eye to eye, to put it mildly, where we don’t have representation in the country. And that puts us as a disadvantage, first and foremost, to helping Canadians that are in these countries.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney | Comments to Press
“We’ve had to rely on allies and countries that also aren’t our natural allies to help us, particularly in Iran, to help get Canadians out [during the war in Iran]. . . . In my opinion, we must change the way we’re doing things.”
Global Affairs Canada (Foreign Ministry) | Comments to Press
“While we continually monitor opportunities in which diplomatic representation may be in the interests of Canadians, and noting that engagement is not endorsement, we are not currently considering re-opening an embassy in Iran.”
UN
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi | Press Conference
“There is an agreement and to comply with that agreement, the IAEA will have to have access and inspect. We hope to be there soon. . . . Intentions are not enough. We have to have a very strong verification system in place.”
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