1. Home
2. Middle East
3. Leavitt Says U.S. Talks with 'More Rational' Iranians are Ongoing

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke on the status of U.S. operations in Iran in a press conference on Monday

She said that talks with Iranians are ongoing and making good progress. Remnants of the regime are inclined to negotiate. The U.S. is currently speaking with “more rational” Iranians to reach an agreement. 

Leavitt claimed that 11,000 targets in Iran have been hit since the start of the war, including the destruction of 150 naval vessels and 70% of Iran’s defense industries. 

She said that the White House’s goal for Iran is to lose its ability to threaten the U.S. and its allies. 

On negotiations, Leavitt conveyed that what is said publicly differs from what is said in private meetings. She added that Iran has agreed to some U.S. points in talks, but if the Iranians do not stick to their words, the consequences will be dire. 

The White House expects 20 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, and U.S. rejects any Iranian imposition of fees on ships. 

On the timeline for the U.S. operations in Iran, Leavitt said that attacks may last 4 to 6 weeks, and that Trump wants to reach an agreement before an April 6 deadline.