White House message: 'Turkey visit not confirmed'

Leavitt made statements regarding whether US President Donald Trump will also visit Turkey during his trip to the Middle East in May. Leavitt stated, "There may be other countries as part of this trip."

When asked, "Does President Trump plan to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House or in Turkey?", Press Secretary Leavitt replied, "Other than saying the President will go to Saudi Arabia, I do not have any details regarding his foreign travel at this time. However, there may be other countries as part of this trip."

The US spokesperson responded to a question about whether the White House is considering adding Turkey to the aforementioned Middle East trip by saying, "We are currently working on the details, and we will share the details of this trip as soon as possible. I will inform you all once the details of the trip are confirmed."

US President Trump is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in May.

MESSAGE TO IRAN: 'THE PRICE WILL BE HEAVY'

White House Press Secretary Leavitt evaluated the US stance toward Iran ahead of the direct talks to be held tomorrow during her press briefing.

Pointing out that tomorrow's direct talks are very important, Leavitt stated, "President Trump has repeatedly reiterated to the entire public that his ultimate goal is for Iran to never obtain nuclear weapons. The President believes in diplomacy, direct talks, and speaking directly in the same room to achieve this goal."

Warning that "if diplomacy does not work, all other options will be on the table," Leavitt said, "The President has also made it very clear to the Iranians and his national security team that all options are on the table and that Iran must make a choice. Either you accept President Trump's demands, or the price will be heavy."

US President Trump, who unilaterally withdrew his country from the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018, sent a letter to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei last month calling for direct nuclear negotiations with Iran.

In response to the letter, which also contained threats, Iran replied via Oman, stating that they would not negotiate directly under threat and pressure, and that they were only prepared for indirect talks.

US President Trump, during his meeting at the White House on April 7 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—for whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity—had announced that "direct" talks would be held between Iran and the US on April 12.

Trump had argued that if an agreement could not be reached, Iran would be in great danger.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated in a statement on the same day that the talks between Iran and the US would be held "indirectly" in Oman on April 12.

News Source: 12punto