Tehran Says ‘Negotiation Alongside Combat’ as Trump Warned Netanyahu Against Expanding War with Iran

As tensions between Iran and Israel have entered a sensitive phase following recent exchanges of attacks, officials of the Islamic Republic emphasize that negotiation and military action are two complementary tools for advancing their objectives. Simultaneously, Donald Trump has announced efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict and warned that if the current crisis transforms into a widespread war, Israel may face Iran without American support.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and senior official leading Iran’s negotiating team, in an audio message released on Monday, June 8, outlined the Islamic Republic’s approach regarding negotiations and military developments in the region. Rejecting the notion that Tehran must choose between diplomacy and military confrontation, he said: “We are not supposed to either fight or negotiate; rather, we are supposed to fight when the time comes and negotiate when the time comes.”

Ghalibaf also emphasized that the Islamic Republic’s primary objective in engaging in negotiations is to reduce tensions and create conditions for sustainable security, not a fundamental change in relations with Washington. He said: “Our goal is to end war and establish sustainable security, not to normalize relations with America, and we have no trust in the opposing side.”

The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly further described negotiations as part of the process of political confrontation with opposing parties and added: “Negotiation is a continuation of struggle.”

These positions are being raised amid circumstances where, following mutual attacks between Iran and Israel, diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of the crisis have intensified. In this regard, Donald Trump, in conversations with Israeli media, announced that he personally warned Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from turning recent clashes into a widespread war.

According to Israeli media reports, Trump told Israel’s Prime Minister: “I told Bibi to be careful, you will find yourself alone against Iran.”

The U.S. President also revealed that several regional countries have asked him to pressure the Israeli government to prevent the escalation of tensions. He claimed that in recent days he has worked to limit the scope of Israeli military operations and has called for more opportunity to advance the path of diplomacy.

Reports indicate that following intense consultations by Washington, the Israeli government has agreed to a temporary halt in attacks against Iran; although Israeli officials have emphasized that this pause does not mean the end of the crisis and, if necessary, the military option will remain on the table.

In Tehran as well, Ghalibaf sought to reject speculation about the existence of differences between various institutions of the Islamic Republic, saying there is complete coordination among political and military officials in pursuing established objectives. According to him, military and diplomatic decisions are made within the framework of a single strategy.

Analysts believe this set of statements shows that both sides are attempting to prevent entering into a widespread regional war while maintaining their pressure tools. However, the fragility of the current situation and the persistence of mistrust among key regional actors have meant that the risk of renewed clashes remains present.