White House Says U.S.-Iran Negotiations "Remain Ongoing"

△White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt (File photo)

On March 25, local time, White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt stated that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are “still ongoing and productive.”

Leavitt said that over the past three days, the U.S. and Iran have had “productive contacts,” prompting President Trump to instruct the Department of Defense to delay strikes on Iran’s electricity and energy infrastructure. She also warned that if Iran refuses to accept reality, the U.S. will take stronger action.

Regarding reports that Iran has rejected the U.S. “15 ceasefire conditions,” Leavitt said that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran “are still ongoing and productive.” She emphasized that the White House will not disclose details of the negotiations publicly but confirmed that communication between the two sides continues.

She stated that current reports about U.S.-Iran talks taking place in Pakistan and other locations are mostly “speculative reports,” and “should not be considered confirmed arrangements” until officially announced by the White House.

Leavitt also released recent details of U.S. military actions, saying that U.S. military operations against Iran are ongoing and have achieved “significant military victories”: over the past three weeks, the U.S. has struck more than 9,000 targets; the U.S. is “destroying the Iranian Navy,” having destroyed over 140 vessels; and the U.S. is systematically weakening Iran’s defense industrial base.

She further stated that current military actions against Iran “do not require formal congressional authorization,” but the government has arranged for national security officials to brief Congress members as a matter of “courtesy and respect.”

Regarding rising oil prices, she said that current fluctuations are a “short-term phenomenon,” and after military operations end, the government will continue to promote “America’s energy dominance.”

Additionally, Leavitt mentioned that Vice President Vance has been involved throughout in discussions regarding Iran.

Recently, President Trump has repeatedly stated that negotiations with Iran are ongoing. On the 23rd, Trump told the media that the U.S. has had dialogues with Iran and reached key points of an agreement. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi’s statement in an interview with national television on the 25th, over the past few days, the U.S. has conveyed proposals to Iran through several friendly countries about ending the war, which Iran’s senior officials are studying. However, Iran’s communication through these mediators “does not mean negotiations with the U.S.” Araghchi also said that the shift from demanding “unconditional surrender” to seeking dialogue is essentially an acknowledgment of the failure of U.S. policy toward Iran. (CCTV Reporter Zhu Lei)

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