White House: Iran continues to engage with the US

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt answered questions from journalists regarding attacks on Iran and developments near the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the White House. When asked whether negotiations with Iran were at a stalemate or had ended completely, Leavitt replied, "Iran continues to engage with the US and continues to express that they want to make a deal with us. Because they are receiving devastating blows from the US military."

The White House Press Secretary stated, "It is important for the American people to understand this; the reason for the attacks in the last few days is that Iran has violated the memorandum of understanding they signed with us. The memorandum of understanding they signed specifically stipulated that they would not open fire on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Unfortunately, they made this decision, which is tragic for them. US President Donald Trump will not sit on the sidelines while these active acts of terrorism take place in the Strait and allow Iran not to face the consequences. This is what we are witnessing right now."

When asked whether Trump was tired of negotiations with Iran, Leavitt replied, "The President is always open and willing to engage in diplomacy."

Stating that US President Trump has adopted a policy that prefers peace through strength, Leavitt said, "Following the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, we have now moved into a diplomatic phase. However, unfortunately, Iran has violated the agreement since then. They have expressed to the President that they still want to make a deal. We are talking to them."

On the other hand, stating that the US would not allow a situation where Iran does not face the consequences if ships are fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt said, "Throughout this process, the President has proven not only to Iran but to the entire world that we can strike Iran anytime, anywhere, and at any point. As a result of the President's actions and primarily Operation Epic Fury, Iran's ability to defend itself has essentially been completely eliminated."

"The blockade has been reimposed"

When asked what the US is doing to facilitate the flow in the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt replied, "Let me explain what is happening in the Strait. We know that there is a naval blockade in place, implemented at the President's direction, targeting only ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. This blockade is fully in effect. The blockade was reimposed because Iran did not comply with the agreement it made with the US."

Leavitt said that in the first 24 hours of the blockade, which is being carried out with two aircraft carriers, more than 20 warships, dozens of aircraft, and over 10,000 personnel, two ships that complied with the rules were rerouted, while one ship that did not comply was neutralized.

Stating that the US will continue to do its best to keep oil prices stable until the conflict ends, Leavitt said, "Ultimately, I think the American people should keep in mind why we are doing all of this in the first place: to ensure that Iran, a terrorist state, never obtains nuclear weapons."

"Investigation into the school attack in Iran is ongoing"

Leavitt was asked about a new investigation into an attack on a school in the city of Minab in Iran's Hormozgan province at the beginning of the war with Iran, which resulted in the deaths of many young girls, and whether this suggests a tragic mistake by the US military and why Trump insists that the US did not carry out the attack. In her response, Leavitt said, "Since I speak on behalf of the President, I can only convey what he has said. The investigation is ongoing."

When asked why Trump says "We didn't do this" while all evidence and preliminary reports point to human error, Leavitt said, "I think the President thinks this way because he knows that our military always acts with good intentions and absolutely never targets civilians or children. Iran, the other side of this conflict, has long been known for killing women, children, and innocent people in its own country."

"The President agrees with the view that foreign countries are trying to influence American public opinion"

Leavitt was also asked whether US Vice President James David Vance's view, expressed in a program yesterday while speaking about Israel, that "There are some people within Israel's system whom we know are trying to manipulate American public opinion to ensure that the war (with Iran) continues indefinitely," is shared by Trump.

In her response to this question, Leavitt said, "Yes, the President absolutely agrees with the view that foreign countries are trying to influence American public opinion. There is no doubt about that. I think this is a fundamental fact."

"The President also greatly enjoyed the time he spent with President Erdoğan in Turkey"

When asked about the NATO Summit held in Ankara last week, where one of the most important topics was the war in Ukraine, and what role regional powers, including Turkey, play in solving this problem, Leavitt said, "I will consult with the National Security Council and get back to you with more detailed information on this matter. However, I can tell you this: I know the President greatly enjoyed his visit to Turkey."

The White House Press Secretary stated, "This was not limited to his participation in the NATO summit, which the US appreciated because our NATO allies are paying their fair share for our collective defense. The President also greatly enjoyed the time he spent with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey and values the bilateral relationship between the two countries."

News Source: 12punto