White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has shared a bold statement about President Donald Trump and his strikes on Iran.
The status of negotiations between the US and Iran have been at the forefront of the news, after Trump, along with Israel, launched a surprise strike on February 28, 2026, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several members of his family.
Iran immediately retaliated with strikes of their own, as well as closing the Strait of Hormuz, causing complications for global oil and gas shipments.
Leavitt shared an update on how negotiations between the US and Iran have been going, as well as a strong message for the nation during a recent press briefing.
She warned that while Trump would prefer peace, he is ready to “unleash hell” if Tehran does not cooperate on a deal to end the war.
Leavitt told reporters: “The president’s preference is always peace. There does not need to be any more death and destruction.
“But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before.
“President Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.”
Sources told ABC News that the Trump administration sent a 15-point peace plan to Iran by way of Pakistan, however, Iran’s Press TV quoted an official saying that Iran rejects the proposal, while officials in Tehran have publicly denied any talks have taken place.
In contrast, on Wednesday Leavitt insisted that the negotiations were ongoing and “productive”, but did not share any specifics.
When asked whether talks have hit a dead end, Leavitt hit back: “They have not.”
Trump had also said on Monday that he would postpone major attacks on Tehran’s energy infrastructure until Friday after claiming that he’d had “productive” talks with Iran.
Leavitt added: “The remaining elements of the Iranian regime have another opportunity to cooperate with President Trump, permanently abandoned their nuclear ambitions, and cease actively threatening America and our allies.”
Both Egypt and Pakistan have offered to host talks to facilitate an end to the conflict, with a Pakistani official previously claiming to ABC News that a potential in-person meeting was being planned in Islamabad.
However, Leavitt urged people not to speculate on unconfirmed claims, adding: “I’ve seen a lot of speculation and reporting about potential talks that could happen later this week. Nothing should be deemed official until it is announced formally by the White House.”
Trump had also earlier told reporters of a “very big present” Iran allegedly gifted the US, without revealing what it was, except that it was related oil and the Strait of Hormuz.
Leavitt did not elaborate on the gift – which some believe was a ship carrying 2 million barrels of oil that successfully made its way through the strait on Tuesday – and said: “I’ll let the president speak on that at the appropriate time.”
It comes after Leavitt made an unexpected career move after admitting her “regrets”.
The White House’s Press Secretary is teaming up with Erika Kirk, wife of late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, to give a talk about “free speech” at a college as part of a nationwide tour.
The ‘This is the Turning Point USA Tour’ will kick off at George Washington University on April 2, with Leavitt as the first special guest, while Erika Kirk will continue the tour visiting college campuses across the country.
The announcement of her guest appearance comes just days after Karoline shared a post about regrets on her Instagram stories.
The post read: “Things you’ll never regret: Praying, putting your phone down, listening over talking, calling your mom, reading the bible.
“Investing in memories, being thankful, forgiving others, forgiving yourself, giving a compliment, drinking more water, saying ‘I love you,’ and trusting god.”
