WASHINGTON, USA: The White House struck a defiant tone on Monday, insisting that diplomatic negotiations with Iran are not only ongoing but “proceeding positively,” even as Iranian officials publicly reject the framework for discussions.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday in a briefing told reporters that the administration is seeing a shift behind the scenes, driven by recent US military gains. She stated that American operations have successfully damaged 70% of Iran’s missile, drone, and naval production facilities.
“It’s no surprise that we are seeing the remaining elements of the regime become increasingly eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table while they still can,” Leavitt said.
WH Press Sec: “Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime, and false reporting, talks are continuing and going well. What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately.”pic.twitter.com/BFnXnffMAw
— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) March 30, 2026
Public posturing vs. private messages
Acknowledging the contradictory public statements coming from Tehran, Leavitt dismissed them as political theater, drawing a sharp distinction between rhetoric and reality.
“What is said publicly is much different than what he communicated to us privately,” she claimed, adding that despite the public posturing and “false reporting,” the back-channel communications are “going well.”
However, she warned that the US would hold Iran accountable for any discrepancies between its private assurances and its actions. “Anything they say to us privately will be tested,” Leavitt stated, adding that President Donald Trump has laid out clear military consequences if Iran fails “to hold true to the words we are hearing privately, behind the scenes.”
Military timeline and proposal rejected
Leavitt reiterated that the ongoing conflict will continue until US military objectives are achieved, sticking to the four-to-six-week timeline previously announced by the Pentagon on March 15.
The comments come amid ongoing joint strikes with Israel that began on Feb. 28. While US officials suggest operations could conclude within weeks if objectives are met, diplomatic efforts are also in motion.
A recent US proposal, delivered via Pakistan, called for Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and limit its control over key energy routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has publicly rejected this framework, dismissing it as serving US and Israeli interests, though it has kept indirect diplomatic channels open.
Leavitt concluded that the White House remains focused on ensuring the Iranian regime is held to its word, leveraging the threat of continued military pressure to push for a diplomatic resolution.
