Iran says it has not abandoned negotiations despite fresh clashes with Israel | Today’s news
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday (June 8th) that Tehran had not walked away from negotiations despite a fresh exchange of missile strikes with Israel, signaling that diplomacy remains an option, even as both sides warn they are ready to retaliate if attacked again.
The remarks came after Israel and Iran traded fire for the first time since an April ceasefire, raising fears of renewed regional conflict and prompting US President Donald Trump to push for an immediate halt to hostilities.
“We have not left the field or the negotiating table”
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Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran has not abandoned negotiations and remains committed to both defending its interests and conducting diplomacy, stressing that “diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power.”
Tensions escalated after Iran fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli strikes near Beirut, marking a major confrontation after the April ceasefire.
Donald Trump has called on both Israel and Iran to immediately end hostilities and has hinted that talks are underway for a broader peace deal while maintaining US sanctions against Iran.
Netanyahu warned that any future Iranian attack would trigger a military response from Israel, stressing their right to self-defense.
Yes, regional powers such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar have pressed for diplomatic efforts to pressure both sides to halt attacks and preserve the fragile ceasefire.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said Iran remains committed to defending its interests while pursuing diplomacy.
“Our priority is the national security and peace of our people. We will defend the nation’s rights with authority and will not back down in the face of any threat.”
“Diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power; we have not left the field or the negotiating table.”
Pezeshkian added that Iran hoped to successfully emerge from the crisis through “unity and rationality”.
Trump is pushing for an immediate ceasefire
Trump said both Israel and Iran appeared willing to end the fighting and that negotiations toward a broader peace deal were continuing.
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are seeking an immediate cease-fire! Final negotiations for “peace” continue, subject to ignorance or stupidity standing in their way.”
The US president also said Washington’s blockade and pressure measures against Iran would remain in place until a final deal was reached.
“The blockade will remain in place and in full force and effect until a ‘Final Agreement’ is reached.”
Trump issued a direct challenge to both countries earlier in the day.
“Israel and Iran must stop ‘shooting’ immediately.”
Israel and Iran signal a pause in fighting
After Trump’s intervention, both countries indicated they were backing away from further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the current round of fighting is over for now.
“At this point the fire has stopped.
But Netanyahu warned that any future Iranian attack would trigger a military response.
“If Iran makes a mistake and comes back to attack us, we will respond with force.”
Iran’s military also announced it was suspending offensive operations, warning that future Israeli actions could provoke harsher retaliation.
“Further aggression and acts of hostility … will be met with far more severe and crushing measures than before.”
Israel details strikes on Iranian military sites
The latest confrontation began after Iran fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli attacks near Beirut.
The Israeli military said it subsequently carried out large-scale attacks on Iranian military infrastructure.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the fighter jets targeted facilities linked to Iran’s ballistic missile program.
“Targeting infrastructure has produced unique materials that serve as critical components for ballistic missile development.”
The IDF later said it also struck Iranian air defense systems in western and central Iran to maintain what it described as air superiority.
Read also | ‘You may soon be on your own against Iran’: Trump’s warning to Netanyahu
Tehran accuses Washington of supporting Israel
Iran blamed the United States for the escalation and argued that Israel would not act independently in such operations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran:
“No one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without coordination with the United States.”
The accusation came despite Washington’s public efforts to preserve the truce and prevent a wider war.
Regional powers are trying to preserve the ceasefire
Diplomatic efforts intensified as regional governments sought to prevent a re-ignition of the conflict.
The officials said Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar urged Washington to put pressure on Israel to stop attacks on Iran and Beirut, while calling on Tehran to stop attacks on Israel.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for restraint.
“The recent surge in violence in the Middle East is a stark reminder of the dangers of a tenuous ceasefire.”
Sharif urged all sides to: “Exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance.”
The ceasefire remains fragile
Despite the pause in fighting, tensions remain high across the region.
Israel continues operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, while Iran maintains pressure around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies.
The conflict reached its 100th day on Monday and diplomats are still trying to turn the April ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.
Read also | Netanyahu credits Trump for helping de-escalate Israel-Iran tensions
