US says Iran talks 'going well' despite public rejection from Tehran

WASHINGTON

The White House said on Monday that talks with Iran are continuing and “going well,” despite public statements from Tehran indicating otherwise.

“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,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately.

“Anything they say to us privately will be tested, and we will ensure that they are held accountable to their word,” she said.

Leavitt says President Donald Trump has laid out the military consequences that Iranians would face if they “don’t hold true to the words we are hearing privately, behind the scenes.”

She also said that the Iran war will continue until the US military objectives are achieved, and the four- to six-week timeline previously announced by the Pentagon on March 15 remains.

Leavitt said the objectives of the US campaign include destroying Iran’s navy and ballistic missiles, dismantling its missile and drone production infrastructure, weakening its regional proxies, and preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The US has sent Iran a proposal to end the war via Pakistan, reportedly including steps regarding Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has denied holding any direct talks with the US, insisting that contacts have been limited to messages passed through intermediaries and describing Washington’s proposals as “excessive and unrealistic.”

Leavitt's remarks come as the US and Israel continue their joint strikes against Iran, which began on Feb. 28, with US officials saying operations could conclude within weeks if objectives are met, while diplomatic channels remain open through intermediaries.

Separately, Leavitt said Trump would be interested in calling on Gulf countries to help cover the costs of the war.

“I think it's something the president would be quite interested in calling them to do,” she said when asked if Arab countries would step up to help pay the costs of the war.

“I won't get ahead of him on that, but certainly it's an idea that I know that he has, and something that I think you'll hear more from him on,” she added.

The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, according to Iranian authorities.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

At least 13 US service members have been killed since the war began, according to US official figures, and the conflict has driven up energy prices and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical global oil chokepoint, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it.