WASHINGTON - The White House denied reports that it had formally requested a ceasefire in the war involving Iran, while confirming that discussions about holding another round of talks with Iranian officials remain active and constructive.
At a Wednesday press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that reports of a U.S. ceasefire request were incorrect. She said, however, that officials continue to speak with Iranian counterparts and that those conversations are "productive and ongoing." Leavitt added that Pakistan is expected to be the likely venue for further discussions, describing the country as the "only mediator" in the current diplomatic effort to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Leavitt addressed reporting about potential in-person meetings directly, saying: "These conversations are productive and ongoing, and that’s where we are right now. I’ve also seen some reporting about the potentiality for in-person discussions. Again, those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House, but we feel good about the prospects of a deal."
The most recent round of negotiations, held last weekend, failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict. The war, which the White House attributes to actions by President Donald Trump that began on February 28 alongside Israel, has triggered Iranian attacks on Iran’s Gulf neighbors and rekindled fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which receives backing from Iran.
Those hostilities have had immediate implications for global energy shipments. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessels other than its own, sharply reducing exports from the Gulf. The reduction has been felt most by buyers in Asia and Europe, with energy importers left scrambling to find alternative supplies as flows from the region have been constrained.
Context and current status
- White House denies requesting a ceasefire.
- Talks with Iran are described as ongoing and productive, with Pakistan likely to host any new in-person discussions.
- Last weekend’s negotiations ended without a deal to end the war.
The administration portrayed the diplomatic channel as active but not yet finalized, noting that any confirmed developments would be announced by the White House itself.