US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday (May 19) said divisions within Iran’s leadership continue to complicate negotiations as the Trump administration pushes for a deal aimed at ending the conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Vance said Iran’s internal power structure has made it difficult to determine the country’s negotiating stance. “The Iranians aren’t themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go; they are also just a fractured country,” Vance told reporters at the White House. “You have the leadership of the country, there’s the supreme leader, and there are a lot of officials below the supreme leader that [have] some influence in negotiation. It’s not sometimes totally clear what the negotiating position of the team is,” he continued.&nbsp;Vance added that it remains uncertain whether the confusion stems from communication failures or bad faith during negotiations. “I will say with confidence it’s sometimes hard to figure out exactly what it is that the Iranians want to accomplish out of the negotiation,” he said. The vice president also dismissed reports suggesting Russia could take control of Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future agreement. “That is not currently our plan. That has never been our plan. I’ve seen some reporting on that. I don’t know where it comes from,” Vance said during a White House briefing on Tuesday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-arrives-in-beijing-for-talks-with-xi-days-after-trump-s-china-visit-1779213433293">Putin arrives in Beijing for talks with Xi days after Trump’s China visit</a>&nbsp;He indicated that such a proposal would likely face opposition from both the United States and Iran. “So, that is not currently the plan of the United States government. The Iranians have not raised it. I sense that it’s not something the Iranians would be particularly excited about, and I know the president isn’t particularly excited about it either,” he added. Still, Vance emphasized that the administration would avoid making fixed commitments during ongoing talks.&nbsp;“But the vice president said he would not make pre-commitments in a negotiation ‘on any particular topic.’” On domestic matters, Vance addressed the administration’s $1.776 billion compensation fund tied to January 6 prosecutions. He clarified that the program was not designed for individuals who assaulted police officers, though claims would still be reviewed individually. “We’re not trying to give money to anybody who attacked a police officer. We’re trying to give money, not give money, we’re trying to compensate people where the book was thrown at them, they were mistreated by the legal system,” Vance said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-scrambles-jets-in-latvian-airspace-near-russia-border-1779210977745/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-scrambles-jets-in-latvian-airspace-near-russia-border-1779210977745/embed</a>&nbsp;“We do have people who were accused of attacking law enforcement officers,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that we are going to completely ignore some of the claims that they are going to make,” Vance said. Every case would undergo individual review, and denied that members of the Trump family would benefit from the compensation fund. “The people that would get the money are people, some of whom have been prosecuted completely disproportionate to any crime they have ever committed,” he said.&nbsp;The vice president also claimed the United States had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and said President Donald Trump instructed his team to pursue negotiations aggressively. According to Vance, talks are progressing positively, but he warned that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails. He said negotiations are in a “good spot,” but added that “it takes two to tango” and the United States is “locked and loaded” to restart military operations if necessary.

Vice President JD Vance says Iran’s leadership divisions are complicating negotiations as the Trump administration pushes for a nuclear deal while warning the US is prepared to restart military action if diplomacy fails

US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday (May 19) said divisions within Iran’s leadership continue to complicate negotiations as the Trump administration pushes for a deal aimed at ending the conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Vance said Iran’s internal power structure has made it difficult to determine the country’s negotiating stance. “The Iranians aren’t themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go; they are also just a fractured country,” Vance told reporters at the White House. “You have the leadership of the country, there’s the supreme leader, and there are a lot of officials below the supreme leader that [have] some influence in negotiation. It’s not sometimes totally clear what the negotiating position of the team is,” he continued. Vance added that it remains uncertain whether the confusion stems from communication failures or bad faith during negotiations. “I will say with confidence it’s sometimes hard to figure out exactly what it is that the Iranians want to accomplish out of the negotiation,” he said. The vice president also dismissed reports suggesting Russia could take control of Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future agreement. “That is not currently our plan. That has never been our plan. I’ve seen some reporting on that. I don’t know where it comes from,” Vance said during a White House briefing on Tuesday. Also Read: Putin arrives in Beijing for talks with Xi days after Trump’s China visit He indicated that such a proposal would likely face opposition from both the United States and Iran. “So, that is not currently the plan of the United States government. The Iranians have not raised it. I sense that it’s not something the Iranians would be particularly excited about, and I know the president isn’t particularly excited about it either,” he added. Still, Vance emphasized that the administration would avoid making fixed commitments during ongoing talks. “But the vice president said he would not make pre-commitments in a negotiation ‘on any particular topic.’” On domestic matters, Vance addressed the administration’s $1.776 billion compensation fund tied to January 6 prosecutions. He clarified that the program was not designed for individuals who assaulted police officers, though claims would still be reviewed individually. “We’re not trying to give money to anybody who attacked a police officer. We’re trying to give money, not give money, we’re trying to compensate people where the book was thrown at them, they were mistreated by the legal system,” Vance said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-scrambles-jets-in-latvian-airspace-near-russia-border-1779210977745/embed “We do have people who were accused of attacking law enforcement officers,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that we are going to completely ignore some of the claims that they are going to make,” Vance said. Every case would undergo individual review, and denied that members of the Trump family would benefit from the compensation fund. “The people that would get the money are people, some of whom have been prosecuted completely disproportionate to any crime they have ever committed,” he said. The vice president also claimed the United States had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and said President Donald Trump instructed his team to pursue negotiations aggressively. According to Vance, talks are progressing positively, but he warned that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails. He said negotiations are in a “good spot,” but added that “it takes two to tango” and the United States is “locked and loaded” to restart military operations if necessary.

JD Vance says Iran’s leadership is fractured, nuclear talks remain unclear, and the United States is prepared to resume military action if needed

'Locked and loaded': Vance issue stark warning to Iran if talks fail, says 'It takes two to tango' on negotiations with Tehran

A security alert at the White House disrupted press operations on Wednesday, forcing reporters indoors as the US Secret Service moved swiftly to secure the complex. Journalists covering the White House were briefly moved into the briefing room after a security alert prompted action by the United States Secret Service. Members of the press were asked to relocate from outdoor media positions as reporters posted updates from inside the White House complex.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-bound-ship-among-two-vessels-attacked-in-strait-of-hormuz-seized-by-iran-s-irgc-1776859709438">India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC</a>&nbsp;“Secret Service is moving press into briefing room at the White House because of a security alert of some kind,” Libbey Dean posted on X. Minutes later, she added, “Secret Service just gave us the ‘all clear’.”&nbsp;There was no immediate indication as to what triggered the security alert. The White House did not immediately comment on the incident, nor were any details on the nature of the incident provided. Media requests for clarification were sent to officials.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-there-will-be-consequences-india-warns-iran-after-attack-on-2-tankers-in-hormuz-1776597009259">‘There will be consequences,’ India warns Iran after attack on 2 tankers in Hormuz</a>&nbsp;Journalist Ines Pohl also posted on X, noting activity around the perimeter. “Security alert at the White House perimeter,” she wrote, adding, “The lawn press tents have been evacuated, and everyone is moving to the press room. No further information is available at this time.” The lawn press area is regularly used by journalists covering daily presidential engagements and official arrivals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The alert comes days after a man was detained for attempting to breach a security barrier near the White House complex. A Secret Service statement had said that the individual was stopped after jumping over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2-pakistani-astronauts-selected-for-china-s-manned-space-mission-to-undergo-training-1776873777161">2 Pakistani astronauts selected for China’s manned space mission, to undergo training</a>&nbsp;. Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi later said, “Shortly after 11:30 am, a man was quickly detained by uniformed US Secret Service police officers after jumping over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Security at the White House remains among the tightest in the United States, with temporary lockdowns and movement restrictions enforced whenever any unusual activity is detected.

Journalists were briefly moved into the briefing room after a security alert prompted action by the United States Secret Service. Members of the press were asked to relocate from outdoor media positions. The White House did not immediately comment on the incident.

A security alert at the White House disrupted press operations on Wednesday, forcing reporters indoors as the US Secret Service moved swiftly to secure the complex. Journalists covering the White House were briefly moved into the briefing room after a security alert prompted action by the United States Secret Service. Members of the press were asked to relocate from outdoor media positions as reporters posted updates from inside the White House complex. Also Read: India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC “Secret Service is moving press into briefing room at the White House because of a security alert of some kind,” Libbey Dean posted on X. Minutes later, she added, “Secret Service just gave us the ‘all clear’.” There was no immediate indication as to what triggered the security alert. The White House did not immediately comment on the incident, nor were any details on the nature of the incident provided. Media requests for clarification were sent to officials. Also Read: ‘There will be consequences,’ India warns Iran after attack on 2 tankers in Hormuz Journalist Ines Pohl also posted on X, noting activity around the perimeter. “Security alert at the White House perimeter,” she wrote, adding, “The lawn press tents have been evacuated, and everyone is moving to the press room. No further information is available at this time.” The lawn press area is regularly used by journalists covering daily presidential engagements and official arrivals. The alert comes days after a man was detained for attempting to breach a security barrier near the White House complex. A Secret Service statement had said that the individual was stopped after jumping over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex Also Read: 2 Pakistani astronauts selected for China’s manned space mission, to undergo training . Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi later said, “Shortly after 11:30 am, a man was quickly detained by uniformed US Secret Service police officers after jumping over a construction bollard near the Treasury Building on the northeast side of the complex.” Security at the White House remains among the tightest in the United States, with temporary lockdowns and movement restrictions enforced whenever any unusual activity is detected.

Journalists were briefly moved into the briefing room after a security alert prompted action by the United States Secret Service. Members of the press were asked to relocate from outdoor media positions. The White House did not immediately comment on the incident.

White House security alert forces press evacuation from outdoor positions by Secret Service

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday (April 15) that gas prices in the United States could fall to around $3 per gallon between late June and late September, depending on developments in global energy supply. “It’s bank week here in DC, so I’ve been meeting with a lot of my Middle Eastern counterparts, the finance ministers, and they all say when the straits are open, they can start pumping again within one week,” Bessent told reporters during a press briefing.&nbsp;He emphasised that the timeline hinges on negotiations surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. “I’m optimistic that sometime between June 20 and September 20, we can have $3 gas again,” Bessent said. Gas prices are currently averaging $4.11, according to The Hill. Prices surged following the escalation of the Iran war, during which Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-s-arc-de-trump-gets-official-name-here-s-what-it-will-be-called-1776281308689">Trump’s ‘Arc de Trump’ gets official name. Here’s what it will be called</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently weighed in on future energy costs, suggesting uncertainty ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. “I hope so,” Trump answered. “I mean, I think so. It could be, it could be, or the same, or maybe a little bit higher. But, it should be around the same.” During the briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Bessent were also questioned about potential tariffs on China.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-s-survival-as-pm-at-stake-as/embed-opinion-polls-predict-election-debacle-for-labour-1776274178847">https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-s-survival-as-pm-at-stake-as/embed-opinion-polls-predict-election-debacle-for-labour-1776274178847</a>&nbsp;Leavitt said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured Trump that China is not supplying weapons to Iran amid the conflict. Bessent added that the Treasury Department has warned two Chinese banks they could face secondary sanctions if Iranian funds are found in their accounts, though he did not name the institutions.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says gas prices could fall to $3 between June and September if the Strait of Hormuz reopens amid Iran tensions

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday (April 15) that gas prices in the United States could fall to around $3 per gallon between late June and late September, depending on developments in global energy supply. “It’s bank week here in DC, so I’ve been meeting with a lot of my Middle Eastern counterparts, the finance ministers, and they all say when the straits are open, they can start pumping again within one week,” Bessent told reporters during a press briefing. He emphasised that the timeline hinges on negotiations surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. “I’m optimistic that sometime between June 20 and September 20, we can have $3 gas again,” Bessent said. Gas prices are currently averaging $4.11, according to The Hill. Prices surged following the escalation of the Iran war, during which Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Also Read: Trump’s ‘Arc de Trump’ gets official name. Here’s what it will be called Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently weighed in on future energy costs, suggesting uncertainty ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. “I hope so,” Trump answered. “I mean, I think so. It could be, it could be, or the same, or maybe a little bit higher. But, it should be around the same.” During the briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Bessent were also questioned about potential tariffs on China. https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-s-survival-as-pm-at-stake-as/embed-opinion-polls-predict-election-debacle-for-labour-1776274178847 Leavitt said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured Trump that China is not supplying weapons to Iran amid the conflict. Bessent added that the Treasury Department has warned two Chinese banks they could face secondary sanctions if Iranian funds are found in their accounts, though he did not name the institutions. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Scott Bessent says US gas could drop to $3 by late summer if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, as oil supply recovers amid Iran conflict and global talks

'Gas prices in America could drop to $3 by late September', says US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

President Donald Trump is sending a high-level negotiating team to Islamabad, Pakistan, this weekend to engage in talks with Iranian officials. Vice President JD Vance will lead the delegation, which includes special envoy Steve Witkoff as well as Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. “I can announce that the president is sending his negotiating team led by the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, special envoy Witkoff, and Mr. Kushner to Islamabad for talks this weekend,” Leavitt told reporters in the White House briefing room. Leavitt added that the first round of discussions is scheduled for Saturday morning local time.<h3>White House defends Trump’s threat to wipe out ‘whole civilization’</h3>Leavitt also defended President Donald Trump’s warning about destroying an entire civilization amid tensions with Iran, arguing that his rhetoric is part of a broader negotiating strategy. On Tuesday, Trump wrote in an early morning Truth Social post, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” if Iran failed to return to negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before a set deadline. “Well, I understand the questions about the president’s rhetoric, but what the president cares most about is results, and in fact, his very tough rhetoric and his tough negotiating style is what has led to the result that you are all witnessing today,” Leavitt said.&nbsp;In a follow-up exchange, she said the world “should take his word very seriously in understanding that the president is always most interested in results.” She that Trump “absolutely has the moral high ground over the Iranian terrorist regime,” despite criticism of his comments. Pressed further, Leavitt said the remarks were decisive in shifting Iran’s position. It “was a very, very strong threat from the president of the United States that led the Iranian regime to cave to their knees and ask for a ceasefire and agree to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-ceasefire-violations-reported-across-conflict-zone-pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-urged-all-parties-to-exercise-restraint-1775656756198">'Ceasefire violations reported across conflict zone': Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif urges all parties to exercise restraint</a><h3>US may seek revenue from Strait of Hormuz, discussions underway</h3>Leavitt also revealed that Trump has raised the possibility of the United States earning revenue from the Strait of Hormuz, though discussions are still ongoing. “It’s something that will continue to be discussed over the course of the next two weeks. But the immediate priority of the president is the reopening of the Strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise,” she told reporters during the White House press briefing on Wednesday.<h3>White House: Iran proposals split between ‘unserious’ &amp; ‘workable’</h3>The White House provided new details on the status of negotiations, saying Iran initially presented a proposal that was rejected before offering a revised plan. The 10-point plan that the Iranians had initially pitched was “fundamentally unserious, unacceptable, and completely discarded,” Leavitt said. However, just hours before Trump’s 8 pm ET deadline, Iran “put forward a more reasonable and entirely different and condensed plan.”&nbsp;According to Leavitt, the Trump administration considers the updated proposal a “workable basis on which to negotiate,” potentially aligning it with Washington’s own 15-point framework. She also suggested a gap between Iran’s public messaging and private discussions with US officials. Negotiators are now expected to work toward merging both frameworks during closed-door talks set to begin in Islamabad on Saturday. “The president’s red lines, namely, the end of uranium enrichment in Iran, have not changed,” Leavitt said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-ceasefire-how-the-iran-war-broke-american-dominance-1775667609225/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-ceasefire-how-the-iran-war-broke-american-dominance-1775667609225/embed</a><h3>White House rejects reports Strait of Hormuz is closed</h3>Responding to reports from Iranian state media, Leavitt dismissed claims that the Strait of Hormuz had been shut.She said Trump had been briefed on the reports and described them as “unacceptable,” while emphasizing that private communications suggest otherwise. According to Leavitt, there has been an “uptick” in traffic through the strait, contradicting public claims of closure. She reiterated that Trump expects the waterway to reopen “immediately,” adding that officials have been told privately that this is already happening and that reports suggesting otherwise are false.<h3>Iran’s enriched uranium remains a key priority for US</h3>Leavitt stressed that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a central focus for Trump as negotiations move forward. “This is on the top of the priority list for the president and his negotiating team as they head into these next round of discussions,” she said, calling it a “red line” the administration will not compromise on.&nbsp;“This is a red line that the president is not going to back away from, and he’s committed to ensuring that takes place. We hope it will be through diplomacy,” she added. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump also addressed the issue directly, saying the US would work with Iran to eliminate the material. “There will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear ‘Dust,’” he wrote on Truth Social.&nbsp;Earlier, Leavitt opened the briefing by calling Operation Epic Fury a ‘victory’ achieved within Trump's self-imposed four-to-six-week timeline. According to the White House, the campaign met its primary goals, ending Iran’s nuclear programme and dismantling its naval, drone, and missile capabilities, and officials described the effort as ‘swift and successful’. What comes next is far less clear. The Trump administration views the ceasefire as an ‘opening’ for renewed discussions around a ‘workable’ proposal from Iran. Details remain limited. It is still uncertain what Iran included in its ‘modified’ proposal, which Leavitt said was submitted following Trump's threats on Tuesday. Any further developments are expected to remain largely undisclosed, as negotiations continue behind closed doors.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump to send JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks; first round is set for Saturday morning, said White House

President Donald Trump is sending a high-level negotiating team to Islamabad, Pakistan, this weekend to engage in talks with Iranian officials. Vice President JD Vance will lead the delegation, which includes special envoy Steve Witkoff as well as Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. “I can announce that the president is sending his negotiating team led by the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, special envoy Witkoff, and Mr. Kushner to Islamabad for talks this weekend,” Leavitt told reporters in the White House briefing room. Leavitt added that the first round of discussions is scheduled for Saturday morning local time. White House defends Trump’s threat to wipe out ‘whole civilization’ Leavitt also defended President Donald Trump’s warning about destroying an entire civilization amid tensions with Iran, arguing that his rhetoric is part of a broader negotiating strategy. On Tuesday, Trump wrote in an early morning Truth Social post, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” if Iran failed to return to negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before a set deadline. “Well, I understand the questions about the president’s rhetoric, but what the president cares most about is results, and in fact, his very tough rhetoric and his tough negotiating style is what has led to the result that you are all witnessing today,” Leavitt said. In a follow-up exchange, she said the world “should take his word very seriously in understanding that the president is always most interested in results.” She that Trump “absolutely has the moral high ground over the Iranian terrorist regime,” despite criticism of his comments. Pressed further, Leavitt said the remarks were decisive in shifting Iran’s position. It “was a very, very strong threat from the president of the United States that led the Iranian regime to cave to their knees and ask for a ceasefire and agree to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.” Also Read: 'Ceasefire violations reported across conflict zone': Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif urges all parties to exercise restraint US may seek revenue from Strait of Hormuz, discussions underway Leavitt also revealed that Trump has raised the possibility of the United States earning revenue from the Strait of Hormuz, though discussions are still ongoing. “It’s something that will continue to be discussed over the course of the next two weeks. But the immediate priority of the president is the reopening of the Strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise,” she told reporters during the White House press briefing on Wednesday. White House: Iran proposals split between ‘unserious’ & ‘workable’ The White House provided new details on the status of negotiations, saying Iran initially presented a proposal that was rejected before offering a revised plan. The 10-point plan that the Iranians had initially pitched was “fundamentally unserious, unacceptable, and completely discarded,” Leavitt said. However, just hours before Trump’s 8 pm ET deadline, Iran “put forward a more reasonable and entirely different and condensed plan.” According to Leavitt, the Trump administration considers the updated proposal a “workable basis on which to negotiate,” potentially aligning it with Washington’s own 15-point framework. She also suggested a gap between Iran’s public messaging and private discussions with US officials. Negotiators are now expected to work toward merging both frameworks during closed-door talks set to begin in Islamabad on Saturday. “The president’s red lines, namely, the end of uranium enrichment in Iran, have not changed,” Leavitt said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-ceasefire-how-the-iran-war-broke-american-dominance-1775667609225/embed White House rejects reports Strait of Hormuz is closed Responding to reports from Iranian state media, Leavitt dismissed claims that the Strait of Hormuz had been shut. She said Trump had been briefed on the reports and described them as “unacceptable,” while emphasizing that private communications suggest otherwise. According to Leavitt, there has been an “uptick” in traffic through the strait, contradicting public claims of closure. She reiterated that Trump expects the waterway to reopen “immediately,” adding that officials have been told privately that this is already happening and that reports suggesting otherwise are false. Iran’s enriched uranium remains a key priority for US Leavitt stressed that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a central focus for Trump as negotiations move forward. “This is on the top of the priority list for the president and his negotiating team as they head into these next round of discussions,” she said, calling it a “red line” the administration will not compromise on. “This is a red line that the president is not going to back away from, and he’s committed to ensuring that takes place. We hope it will be through diplomacy,” she added. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump also addressed the issue directly, saying the US would work with Iran to eliminate the material. “There will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear ‘Dust,’” he wrote on Truth Social. Earlier, Leavitt opened the briefing by calling Operation Epic Fury a ‘victory’ achieved within Trump's self-imposed four-to-six-week timeline. According to the White House, the campaign met its primary goals, ending Iran’s nuclear programme and dismantling its naval, drone, and missile capabilities, and officials described the effort as ‘swift and successful’. What comes next is far less clear. The Trump administration views the ceasefire as an ‘opening’ for renewed discussions around a ‘workable’ proposal from Iran. Details remain limited. It is still uncertain what Iran included in its ‘modified’ proposal, which Leavitt said was submitted following Trump's threats on Tuesday. Any further developments are expected to remain largely undisclosed, as negotiations continue behind closed doors. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump to send JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks; first round is set for Saturday morning, said White House

US-Iran talks in Pakistan: Trump to send JD Vance, Kushner and Witkoff for talks; first round on Saturday

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on Monday (March 30), during the press briefing, said that the US operation in Iran is moving 'successfully'. Leavitt said more than 11,000 enemy targets have been struck so far, creating ‘more leverage for the United States and its allies’ and significantly weakening Iran’s offensive and defensive capabilities. She added that Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks are down by about 90%. As per Leavitt, the US has also ‘decimated’ Iran’s navy, destroying more than 150 vessels, including ‘92% of their largest vessels’.&nbsp;She further claimed that the Iranian regime is ‘eager to end the destruction’ and come to the negotiation table. However, Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that they are engaged in talks with the United States. Addressing those reports, Leavitt said that despite the Iranian regime’s ‘public posturing’ and what she described as the media’s ‘false reporting’, talks between the US and Iran are still underway and progressing well. She added that private communication differs from what is said publicly.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-vows-all-necessary-steps-to-stabilise-energy-markets-as-crude-oil-surges-to-116-amid-escalating-west-asia-war-1774882203136">G7 vows ‘all necessary steps’ to stabilise energy markets as crude oil surges to $116 amid escalating West Asia war</a>&nbsp;Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has issued a 10-day pause to ‘postpone’ planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure. She described the moment as, ‘This remains a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regime to make a good deal with the United States." Leavitt warned that if Iran rejects the offer, the US military ‘continues to stand by’ to provide Trump ‘every option available to ensure this regime continues to pay a grave price’.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-congress-report-nails-pakistan-s-role-in-formenting-terrorism-on-india-1774892669342/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-congress-report-nails-pakistan-s-role-in-formenting-terrorism-on-india-1774892669342/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

'Once in a generation opportunity': White House on 'talks' with Iran

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on Monday (March 30), during the press briefing, said that the US operation in Iran is moving 'successfully'. Leavitt said more than 11,000 enemy targets have been struck so far, creating ‘more leverage for the United States and its allies’ and significantly weakening Iran’s offensive and defensive capabilities. She added that Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks are down by about 90%. As per Leavitt, the US has also ‘decimated’ Iran’s navy, destroying more than 150 vessels, including ‘92% of their largest vessels’. She further claimed that the Iranian regime is ‘eager to end the destruction’ and come to the negotiation table. However, Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that they are engaged in talks with the United States. Addressing those reports, Leavitt said that despite the Iranian regime’s ‘public posturing’ and what she described as the media’s ‘false reporting’, talks between the US and Iran are still underway and progressing well. She added that private communication differs from what is said publicly. Also Read: G7 vows ‘all necessary steps’ to stabilise energy markets as crude oil surges to $116 amid escalating West Asia war Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has issued a 10-day pause to ‘postpone’ planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure. She described the moment as, ‘This remains a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regime to make a good deal with the United States." Leavitt warned that if Iran rejects the offer, the US military ‘continues to stand by’ to provide Trump ‘every option available to ensure this regime continues to pay a grave price’. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-congress-report-nails-pakistan-s-role-in-formenting-terrorism-on-india-1774892669342/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

White House claims 11,000 strikes hit Iran, cutting attacks by 90% and damaging naval power, while insisting talks continue despite Iran’s denial

During the White House press briefing on Wednesday (March 25), press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States is steadily weakening Iran’s military strength, targeting both its offensive and defensive systems, and insisted that Operation Epic Fury has proven to be ‘a resounding military triumph’. She said that around 9,000 strikes have been carried out so far, with Iranian naval force, particularly minelayers, being heavily damaged, describing the campaign as effectively ‘annihilating’ the fleet.&nbsp;She argued that this marks the most significant destruction of a navy within a three-week period since World War II. According to Leavitt, "US military efforts grow more successful with each passing day", adding that Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping is being steadily reduced. Highlighting progress, she said, "For all of these reasons US is very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury," and emphasized that at 25 days into the conflict, the US remains "ahead of schedule". She further claimed Iran’s nuclear program has been "crushed", pushing the leadership to search for an "exit ramp".&nbsp;Leavitt also pointed out that after threats from Donald Trump to strike Iranian energy facilities, Tehran showed willingness to negotiate. She said that "President Trump is willing to listen," and mentioned that he has held "productive conversations" with Iran over the past three days. While maintaining that the president’s position "is always peace", she warned that if Iran does not accept current conditions, the US will escalate further, striking "harder than they have ever been hit before". She added, "President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell," and said Iran’s previous "miscalculation" resulted in major losses, including leadership, naval assets, and air defenses.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-iran-claims-it-has-shot-down-us-f18-fighter-jet-shares-video-1774459561717">WATCH | Iran claims it has shot down US F18 fighter jet, shares video</a><h2>Here's what White House said on ‘boots on the ground’</h2>During questions, Leavitt was asked whether the president would seek approval from Congress if the operation continued or expanded, particularly with the possibility of ground troops. She replied that authorization is not needed at this stage "because we're currently in major combat operations". She explained that the mission was expected to last four to six weeks and is currently on day 25. Although lawmakers were informed beforehand as a "courtesy" and continue to receive updates, she maintained the administration is acting within the law.&nbsp;Addressing constitutional concerns, it was noted that Congress holds the authority to declare war, though both chambers recently rejected efforts to restrict the president’s powers. On rising fuel costs, Leavitt said the president is acting in the interest of Americans, saying he is "doing this for you [Americans]" and has the "courage to step up and do what's right" for national security. She added that after the conflict, the administration plans to "continue to unleash American energy dominance", while ensuring prices remain "as low as he can" during the war.<h2>Trump is engaged in 'productive conversations' with Iran, White House claims&nbsp;</h2>Leavitt confirmed that diplomatic engagement with Iran is ongoing, despite reports from Iranian state media suggesting otherwise. She dismissed a circulating proposal as "speculative", saying "There are elements of truth to it," but that some coverage has not been "entirely factual", declining to discuss the "nitty gritty" of negotiations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Responding to remarks from Mike Johnson that the conflict may be nearing its end, she said the US is achieving its goals "expeditiously" but stressed that Trump prefers flexibility. "It's the Pentagon's job to provide those options to the commander-in-chief," she said, without elaborating further. On oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt said there is no firm timeline but efforts are underway to restore normal flow "as quickly as we can". She cited coordination with the International Energy Agency to release additional reserves, along with a temporary nationwide fuel waiver announced by Lee Zeldin to provide "additional flexibility".&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed</a>&nbsp;When asked about possible US support for Israel’s operations in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact, she declined to comment on military involvement but said the president is concerned and aims to counter threats from Iran and groups like Hezbollah, "who have terrorised Lebanon for far too long".&nbsp;Pressed again on the possibility of deploying troops, she did not provide details. Regarding the reported 15-point peace proposal, she said, "If you've heard it from the President of the United States, obviously it's true," while warning against relying on anonymous sources and avoiding specifics. Finally, addressing criticism that US demands have shifted from preventing nuclear weapons to restricting enrichment, Leavitt said the president has been "quite clear" about expectations from Iran’s leadership.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

'Very close to meeting objectives', says White House as Tehran rejects US ceasefire plan

During the White House press briefing on Wednesday (March 25), press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States is steadily weakening Iran’s military strength, targeting both its offensive and defensive systems, and insisted that Operation Epic Fury has proven to be ‘a resounding military triumph’. She said that around 9,000 strikes have been carried out so far, with Iranian naval force, particularly minelayers, being heavily damaged, describing the campaign as effectively ‘annihilating’ the fleet. She argued that this marks the most significant destruction of a navy within a three-week period since World War II. According to Leavitt, "US military efforts grow more successful with each passing day", adding that Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping is being steadily reduced. Highlighting progress, she said, "For all of these reasons US is very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury," and emphasized that at 25 days into the conflict, the US remains "ahead of schedule". She further claimed Iran’s nuclear program has been "crushed", pushing the leadership to search for an "exit ramp". Leavitt also pointed out that after threats from Donald Trump to strike Iranian energy facilities, Tehran showed willingness to negotiate. She said that "President Trump is willing to listen," and mentioned that he has held "productive conversations" with Iran over the past three days. While maintaining that the president’s position "is always peace", she warned that if Iran does not accept current conditions, the US will escalate further, striking "harder than they have ever been hit before". She added, "President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell," and said Iran’s previous "miscalculation" resulted in major losses, including leadership, naval assets, and air defenses. Also Read: WATCH | Iran claims it has shot down US F18 fighter jet, shares video Here's what White House said on ‘boots on the ground’ During questions, Leavitt was asked whether the president would seek approval from Congress if the operation continued or expanded, particularly with the possibility of ground troops. She replied that authorization is not needed at this stage "because we're currently in major combat operations". She explained that the mission was expected to last four to six weeks and is currently on day 25. Although lawmakers were informed beforehand as a "courtesy" and continue to receive updates, she maintained the administration is acting within the law. Addressing constitutional concerns, it was noted that Congress holds the authority to declare war, though both chambers recently rejected efforts to restrict the president’s powers. On rising fuel costs, Leavitt said the president is acting in the interest of Americans, saying he is "doing this for you [Americans]" and has the "courage to step up and do what's right" for national security. She added that after the conflict, the administration plans to "continue to unleash American energy dominance", while ensuring prices remain "as low as he can" during the war. Trump is engaged in 'productive conversations' with Iran, White House claims Leavitt confirmed that diplomatic engagement with Iran is ongoing, despite reports from Iranian state media suggesting otherwise. She dismissed a circulating proposal as "speculative", saying "There are elements of truth to it," but that some coverage has not been "entirely factual", declining to discuss the "nitty gritty" of negotiations. Responding to remarks from Mike Johnson that the conflict may be nearing its end, she said the US is achieving its goals "expeditiously" but stressed that Trump prefers flexibility. "It's the Pentagon's job to provide those options to the commander-in-chief," she said, without elaborating further. On oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt said there is no firm timeline but efforts are underway to restore normal flow "as quickly as we can". She cited coordination with the International Energy Agency to release additional reserves, along with a temporary nationwide fuel waiver announced by Lee Zeldin to provide "additional flexibility". https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed When asked about possible US support for Israel’s operations in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact, she declined to comment on military involvement but said the president is concerned and aims to counter threats from Iran and groups like Hezbollah, "who have terrorised Lebanon for far too long". Pressed again on the possibility of deploying troops, she did not provide details. Regarding the reported 15-point peace proposal, she said, "If you've heard it from the President of the United States, obviously it's true," while warning against relying on anonymous sources and avoiding specifics. Finally, addressing criticism that US demands have shifted from preventing nuclear weapons to restricting enrichment, Leavitt said the president has been "quite clear" about expectations from Iran’s leadership. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

US says it has hit 9,000 targets in Iran, weakened its military and nuclear program, and is nearing goals while continuing talks and warning of escalation

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