WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is pressing Iran to accept a deal to end the Middle East war, the White House said Wednesday, while insisting that “productive talks” with Tehran are continuing despite reports that the US peace plan has been rejected.
“If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment… Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a news briefing.
“President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again,” she said, while adding that “talks continue.”
PRESS SEC: As I’ve said repeatedly, I think the President obviously believes the United States wants to have someone in a leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be willing to work with the United States and will no longer chant, “Death to America.” pic.twitter.com/94aO0CaQ1z
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 25, 2026
“As I’ve said repeatedly, I think the President obviously believes the United States wants to have someone in a leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be willing to work with the United States,” she said.
Earlier, the United States and Iran both claimed victory in their ongoing conflict on Wednesday, with President Donald Trump saying Tehran’s forces had been defeated, while Iranian officials insisted Washington had failed in its objectives, as diplomatic efforts to end the fighting appeared to gain momentum.
US President Donald Trump said the war against Iran “has been won,” claiming Iranian military capabilities have been “totally defeated” and “incapacitated.”
Iran rejects US claims
Iranian officials have strongly rejected the US narrative, instead describing the conflict as a failure for Washington.
Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said the United States had been “defeated” and was now seeking assistance from other countries to exit what he described as a “quagmire.”
He said the US and its allies initiated the conflict to destabilise Iran, but miscalculated the country’s response. According to Abdollahi, Iranian forces, backed by public support, have resisted the campaign and are “advancing toward ultimate victory.”
The commander added that US leadership, having failed to achieve its objectives, is now looking for a way out of the conflict.
Iran does not plan any negotiations to end the war
In an interview with Iranian state TV late Wednesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that no talks with the United States have taken place.
“No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations,” he said.
War out of control
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the war is “out of control,” cautioning that the world risks sliding into a broader conflict.
“The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war, a growing wave of human suffering, and a deeper global economic shock. This has gone too far,” he told reporters.
Iran’s military said its cruise missiles targeting the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group had forced it to reposition, warning of “powerful strikes” if it comes within range again.
Meanwhile, US ally Israel said it carried out strikes in Tehran and targeted a submarine development facility in the central city of Isfahan.
