Iran Floats Diplomatic Options While Launching More Missiles

The X (Twitter) account of Iran’s Supreme Leader features posters and videos highlighting the strength of Iran’s missile capabilities. In one video, showing missile strikes on various locations in Israel, a caption reads: “Be miserable.”

Iran’s response to the Israeli strike on its state broadcasting authority, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), was relatively weak, contrasting with the tone projected by Khamenei in his recent statements. This may indicate that he is not fully aware of the extent of the damage to Iran’s ballistic missile assets or of the country’s actual ability to respond decisively to continued Israeli attacks.

On Truth Social, Trump warned that Iran must make a nuclear deal to avoid “even more brutal planned attacks” and of greater destruction if Iran does not comply, suggesting that the U.S. could escalate involvement if diplomacy fails.

Amid growing signs on the ground that the United States may join the conflict, reports are increasing about Tehran’s interest in a cease-fire. The diplomatic track reflects these dynamics. On June 16, The Wall Street Journal claimed that Iran had sent messages to Israel and the US via Arab intermediaries expressing willingness to end the war and resume nuclear talks with Washington. Iranian officials “categorically” denied the assertion.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi reiterated on June 16 that Iran would continue retaliating as long as Israel strikes Iranian territory. In a statement posted on X, Araghchi wrote, "If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy".

Reuters reported that Iran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to urge President Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire with Iran in exchange for Iranian flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to two Iranian officials and three regional sources who spoke to the news agency on Monday.

Adding to the evolving picture, former Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian issued a pointed statement outlining five observations on the fifth day of Israel’s military campaign on Iranian territory.

Mousavian accused the U.S. of direct involvement in the war by highlighting the near-simultaneous evacuation advisories issued by both the Israeli military and President Trump for parts of Tehran. He framed this as further evidence of strategic coordination between the White House and Israel.

Mousavian questioned whether Trump would adhere to his “America First” doctrine or place Israel’s priorities ahead of U.S. interests. If “America First” prevails, Mousavian argued, Trump would pressure Netanyahu to halt the attacks and would quickly re-enter negotiations with Iran to prevent a wider war, loss of American lives, and economic fallout.

Despite Europe’s general alignment with Israel, Mousavian viewed Iran’s decision to allow Foreign Minister Araghchi to speak with the foreign ministers of the E3 (Britain, France, Germany) as wise. He also referred to reports of a potential U.S. request for an urgent meeting with Iran’s representative, urging Tehran not to reject such overtures.

Significantly, Mousavian claimed that Israel’s military campaign is part of a deeper strategy to coerce Iran into dismantling its uranium enrichment capabilities. But in his view, Israel and the West may now recognize Iran’s military resilience and resolve—factors that could improve the chances for renewed nuclear negotiations.

Mousavian’s five points reinforce the impression that Iran is actively exploring diplomatic exits while aiming to project strength. Iran’s outreach to European diplomats, possible openness to American dialogue, and its framing of military actions as retaliatory rather than escalatory, all suggest a search for off-ramps.

His final point implies that Iran views the current confrontation as an opportunity to re-enter nuclear negotiations from a position of “strength.” However, this framing also appears aimed at saving face amid battlefield setbacks.